What started as an effort by two longtime overseas-based Guyanese friends to entertain and comfort during the current COVID-19 pandemic has blossomed into a social movement aimed at helping those in need in their homeland.
In March of 2020, popular New York-based DJ Flexx and Senior Manager at UPS Royce Doorn and Federal IT Contractor/ Consultant and Chief Executive of Southern Systems Inc. Karl Moore formed the Facebook group Flexx Nation Saturday Night Pajama Parties.
The weekly online parties, which saw them playing music in the style of a good Guyanese bottom house party, were a way to entertain and help to alleviate the stress of their friends living under a state of lockdown.
After working full days, Doorn and Moore, would go live every Saturday for four to five hours. During the parties, friends would interact with them, chat with others, send greetings and play name-that-tune.
It was following the tragic murder of cousins Joel and Isaiah Henry that the social movement aspect of Flexx Nation emerged. It was decided that there would be a fundraiser to assist the grieving families.
To this end, an administrative board was established to oversee projects aimed at assisting families in Guyana. The members are Doorn, Moore, Karen Ying-Vaughan, Mellissa Ifill, Michelle Kellman, Adunni Britton-Greene, Denise Ellis, and Yolande Gittens.
So far a donation totalling GY$1.5 million in appliances was made to the family of the Henrys. The group’s administration continues to support the families by providing medical and other assistance.
Recently, two University of Guyana students, Joshua Edward, a final-year law student, and Antel John, first-year law student, came to Flexx Nation’s attention. Once more, the very donations of members of the group made it possible for the students’ tuition for the academic year to be paid in full.
