By Shabna Rahman
Vernon Gray, of Stewartville, West Coast Demerara, never thought that he would be able to get out of his dilapidated shack, but the Men on Mission (MoM) in Region Three proved him wrong when they presented him with his new house.
At a handing over ceremony on Saturday, Vernon, who lived in impoverished conditions for several years, was very happy and thankful to MoM for helping to change his life.
He not only got a house, but a new gas stove, so he would no longer have to worry about buying kerosene oil to light his fireside to cook, as well as new pots and pans.
A new sink with cupboard was also set up with running water, and his new plates, cups, bowls, a mug and cleaning items he received, were displayed on it. There were two new chairs in his veranda, a comfy couch with cup rest in the living room and a bed in the huge bedroom, as well as a small washroom.
The house is also equipped with remote-controlled solar lights.
Vernon’s life was very basic and the items he owned were very old and worn out. He now has to get accustomed to enjoying his ‘luxury’ and could not stop smiling at the transformation that was taking place in his life.
A member of his church had felt he deserved a better life and recommended him to MoM for a house. The MoM team then sprang into action after seeing his rundown shack, to ensure that he lives in comfort.
Vernon’s old shack was torn down and a storeroom made out of galvanised sheets was built to store some of his belongings.
In his address, Chairman of Region Three and Chairman of MoM, Inshan Ayube thanked everyone who contributed, with even the smallest items to ensure the house was completed successfully.
He pointed out that the region has over 30 requests for homes but preference would be given to the most needy.
As chairman, he said he is blessed to have a good executive body, which took it further to include the stakeholders at the meetings, realizing that it will help them to be successful.
“That move was the best thing that could have happened because the stakeholders bring resources, they bring ideas, they bring so many things to the table. So we are here today because of these decisions and these commitments by the donors and stakeholders,” the chairman said.
He also underlined that the mission of MoM is not only to build homes, but that they would make quarterly decisions on projects, which include clearing clogged drains to avert any flooding in the area and creating recreational facilities, with the first one being at La Retraite, West Bank Demerara.
He emphasised the importance of creating an environment for the youth, so as to ensure that they are conscious and tread the right way.
Aside from the quarterly projects, MoM will also address any emergencies that arise.
“When we do things to establish `goodness’, it is a domino effect, creating an awareness for other people in the area to do things.”
Bus shed
He related that recently a resident who had remigrated, approached him at his office to build a bus shed near the Stewartville Secondary School.
He said it is a much needed project because the children can use it to shelter during the inclement weather. After discussing with the NDC, he gave the go ahead to proceed.
The bus shed is expected to be transparent and fitted with solar lights and wifi.
Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Best congratulated all of the people who supported the project. He said that MoM, together with the private sector visited Vernon’s home about a month ago and realized that he needed help.
He was happy to see the product that can be delivered when the public-private sectors work together in the spirit of humanity and in keeping with the president’s initiative and slogan of One Guyana.
“It is so good that when we as leaders and people from the private sector are so selfless and decided to think about One Guyana and not only about themselves, but humanity in general, that we can work together to make the lives of the less fortunate better… It is the objective… to ensure that our citizens live worthy lives and are comfortable.”
MoM’s secretary, Halim Khan pointed out that the house was built in a collaborative effort to ensure that Vernon has a proper place to live.
He thanked the donors, including GuyAmerica Sawmill, Wolf Furniture Store, Mahase & Sons Furniture Establishment, Gafoors branch at Parika, Forrester Lumber & Building Complex, New Age General Construction & Development, Imex Construction, TMK Construction, Shayam & Son Variety Store, the Guyana Police Force, Guyana Defence Force, the neighbour on the western side who provided electricity for the power tools and other stakeholders.
MoM is also eager to start its new project, and has received a pledge $400,000 from another stakeholder towards it.
Also present at the handing over ceremony were Jagnarine Somwar, Regional Executive Officer, who serves as vice chairman of MoM, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force, Brigadier Godfrey Best, Region Three Commander, Mahendra Sewnarine, contractors, donors and villagers.
Somwar said the event was historic for the region because it is the first major project that MoM embarked on and it was a success.
MoM is an initiative of the One Guyana vision of President Irfaan Ali. He said when they embark on a project, they do it as a united front and as one people and that the house project is a typical example of what they are going to do in the region.
Regional Commander, Sewnarine called on the business community to assist in future projects. He promised that his division will continue to provide support to Vernon.
An elderly villager recalled that Vernon grew up in Stewartville but left with his mother for Georgetown for “greater height and suddenly he came back to his grandmother’s place and made life.”
She recalled that he lived a life of hardship and that he worked hard as a push cart operator at the Leonora market and also helped out others. She said he weeded grass and did odd jobs for his daily bread.
She was happy “to see someone who was down and today through the grace of God, he was able to rise up… Today he is a successful man through the Guyana Government…”
