Edward Gittens, 36, who lives on the streets of Georgetown, walked into a medical outreach with a dishevelled appearance, but came out looking transformed after taking advantage of the shower and hair cutting services offered.
He was one of almost 200 homeless people who benefited from the services at the outreach, which included medical check ups, dental and eye care, HIV/AIDS testing, filling prescriptions at the mini pharmacy, a clothing drive and a free meal, as well as towels and soaps to take showers.
The outreach, held recently on Brickdam, was hosted by the Guyana Medical Relief, the newly formed Guyana Cancer Society, the Central Islamic Organization of Guyana, the US Embassy Civil Affairs team and was supported by other voluntary groups, organisations and sponsors.
After taking a shower, Gittens changed his tattered clothing into some that was provided to him. The dentist at the dental booth, checked his teeth and cleaned and polished them.
He then went over to the booth where Roberto of Roberto’s Barber Shop, transformed his look by cutting his hair and trimming his beard.
Gittens became homeless after the house he was renting on Norton Street, Georgetown, was destroyed by fire. He lost all of his belongings, and as if that was not devastating enough, he also lost his job as a security guard.
He told Stabroek News that the pampering and good treatment he received at the outreach made him feel “great…. I feel much better about myself, I feel lifted, I feel joy and I feel goodness.”
He promised to try his best to “get up to speed” so he can “fit back into society.”
His dream is to get off the streets and get his life back together and he is looking for support in order to make it a reality.
Sharir Chan, of the Guyana Medical Relief and the Guyana Cancer Society, promised to help Gittens find a home and a job.
Kelly Mc Donald, leader of the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team, showed this newspaper around as the activities were taking place. She said the reaction from those who benefited from the programme was “extremely positive. They’re looking forward to another event so hopefully that can be done in the next two months.”
According to her, most of the recipients were those who go for daily meals at the soup kitchen, where the outreach was held. The others responded to the advertisement “on the street.”
Apart from Gittens, other people who needed showers and haircuts also took advantage of those services.
Roosevelt Cox, 68, who stays at the Palms nearby, also benefited from the services, including a haircut.
The father of one hailed from the Pomeroon and worked as a miner in the interior. He became involved in an accident four years ago where he suffered broken bones and was a patient at the Georgetown Public Hospital. He was taken to the Palms because “ah can’t handle bush work no more, but I’m a bushman,” he chuckled.
Chan said the outreach was a form of “giving back to society, especially to the vulnerable in Georgetown.”
He was happy to collaborate with Mc Donald and her team and the other organizations to make the event a success.
