New-look Uncle Eddie’s Home officially handed over by Rotary Club

The ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Uncle Eddie’s Home.
The ribbon cutting for the newly renovated Uncle Eddie’s Home.

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Central two Thursdays ago officially handed over the newly renovated Uncle Eddie’s Home.

The project represented a signature initiative of Rotary’s 40th anniversary celebration and its commitment to serving humanity and building stronger communities under its 2024 theme “The Magic of Rotary”. The rehabilitation of Uncle Eddie’s Home was made possible through a US$100,000 grant from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS Missionaries).

President of the Club, Jagdesh Haripershad, remarked that the journey began under the leadership of past president, Peter Pompey, whose vision and dedication gave life to the idea of transforming the Home. Haripershad highlighted that the Home was in a dilapidated state and unsafe environment. Past President Judy Semple-Joseph was credited with securing the necessary funding by preparing and submitting a detailed proposal to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints; LDS’ missionaries in Guyana, Kory and Diane Sellers, oversaw its project execution.

The refurbished recreational area.

The comprehensive overhaul involved a fresh coat of paint, while aged furniture and equipment were replaced with state-of-the-art amenities, including stoves, refrigerators, and modern flush toilets, ensuring acceptable standards of comfort and convenience for staff and residents. Additionally, the replacement of tiles throughout the building added a touch of elegance and durability, completing a renovation that not only enhances living and working experiences but also preserves the building’s original character.

Hemwattie Bissessar, representative of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, expressed her admiration for the impactful initiatives taking place at Uncle Eddie’s Home. Bissessar reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to supporting such projects, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with organizations like Rotary, which has over 1.4 million members in more than 46 thousand clubs across 200 countries, in building a community where the responsibility of caring for every generation is shared. Yolanda James, President of the Association of Uncle Eddie’s Home thanked all stakeholders who worked as a team to secure the Home’s accomplishments.

James stated that the team worked relentlessly and that more was accomplished than what was first agreed upon. The president emphasized that Uncle Eddie’s Home has now been transformed into a friendly environment. James added that the improved environment will allow employees to properly execute their duties and promised that it will be maintained properly since the association plans to renovate other parts of it. Food for the Poor, the Ministry of Public Works and Chung’s Global partnered in the rehabilitation project.

The unveiling of the plaque