PRESS RELEASE SHAHEED ORPHANAGE COMMISSIONS BUS FOR CHILDREN Social Media Group—Guyana Gallery sponsors holiday treat for children The Management Board of the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages, with locations in Georgetown and on the East Coast Demerara, was repeatedly commended on Saturday last for its admirable administrating of the orphanages since its assumption of office. The commendations was made by all of the speakers at a special program organized to commission its recently acquired bus which was purchased from its own funds to be used to transport the children to and from their schools and other activities. Heading the list was Prime Minister of Guyana Hon. Samuel Hinds who lauded the Management for this positive development in the lives of the children. He was overwhelmed with the level of appreciation of all religions displayed by this organization and urged that it continue. He urged the children to take good care of the new bus. The Orphanage was established in the 1950’s as institutions to provide care, home and facilities for the orphans, vulnerable and destitute children of our community. The Shaheed Orphanages are landmark institutions not only to the Muslim community, but to the Guyanese nation. They remain as the beacon for the care of the orphan and vulnerable children in the society and in their decades of existence, provided care and facilities to thousands of children. These institutions have provided wonderful support to successive governments over the decades as valuable social sector contributor of our country. The children in these institutions are from different ethnic and religious backgrounds. Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Hon. Anil Nandlall also commended the Board for this acquisition . He stated that institutions such as these, which take the most unfortunate in our society and provide them with shelter, care, education and other amenities of life so that they can reintegrate back in our society, must be commended and provided the support necessary. That is why the government readily consented to the application for a duty free concession for the bus when it was made. He urged that full care be taken of the vehicle and stated that based on the efficient track record of these institutions he is confident that the new vehicle will be used for the purpose it was acquired. He pledged government’s continued willingness to support these institutions in whatever way it can. Minister Nandlall stressed the need for religious tolerance especially in our country and urged that everyone play a role in ensuring that the prevailing atmosphere of religious tolerance in our nation continues. Secretary of the Board, Hakeem Khan, in his remarks (on behalf of Chairman Badrudin Hassan who was overseas) expressed thanks to the Government of Guyana, especially Minister Jennifer Webster, Minister of Human Services & Social Security, Attorney General & Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall and Commissioner General of the Guyana Revenue Authority, Kurshid Sattaur for their respective roles in the granting of the Duty Free Concession for the bus. Republic Bank (Guyana) Limited was also thanked for releasing the funds of the institutions in order for the bus to be acquired. He thanked Attorney-at-Law Mr. Kalam A. Juman Yasin for his sterling representation of the orphanages for decades. The provision of facilities of the highest standard is a major goal of the management committee and since the assumption of control in 2005, each year, millions of dollars are spent to repair, build and acquire facilities for the children. The assistance of organizations such as Redbandaid Foundation, which has partnered with the management in providing vital training and facilities such as computers for our children, was recognized. Khan expressed deepest gratitude to Ms. Ann Greene and her team from the Child Protection Services for the continued support. The Board is in the process of creating a playground for these children at our Oleander Gardens location. Towards this, over $3M in preparatory works has been expended but were unable to move further due to its lack of financial resources. Khan stated that the bus comes at the crucial time of need for transportation, because as of last term, Management has placed all of the children from secondary school level into private school in order to offer them the best thing it can – great educational opportunities. This was done at tremendous cost to the board but with the positive results shown by most of the children, it is heartened and its decision justified, in the hope that one day, we will see children from here moving on to higher educational goals of being qualified as accountants, doctors, lawyers and other professionals. This bus also opens the opportunities for the children to be able to visit places on weekends and holidays. The launching of the bus also coincided with the partnering of the orphanages with social media group, Guyana Gallery, (headed by Guyanese, Rishi Singh) with a membership of over 55,000 persons from all different background and from throughout the world, in providing this holiday treat for the children. Guyana Gallery is a socio-cultural, educational, and philanthropic organization serving humanity with a non-sectarian, non-communal and non-political outlook by leveraging social media, to connect Guyanese globally, enrich lives socially and culturally, and to advocate for improved opportunities through higher education. It has become the repository of Guyanese history, culture, values, tradition, and folklore. It is the largest Guyanese Facebook group. A message from Singh was read at the event by GG’s representative in which it was stated that the group has joined in the social crusade against suicide and in promoting suicide awareness and prevention. It is actively engaged in charitable causes and willing to embrace all other groups and organizations which share our mission of wanting to bring upliftment to our communities regardless of religious or political orientation. Singh said they are thankful for the collaboration between Guyana Gallery and the Shaheed Orphanages. Prominent Attorney-at-Law Kalam Azad Juman yassin in making brief remarks complimented the Management team for its resolve throughout the years, starting more than a decade ago when there was an attempt to have a hostile take over of these institutions but was repelled. He saw the continued efforts of the Board to improve the welfare of the children. Yassin was described as one of the few persons who has provided sterling representation to the institutions. The bus carries the name of the Shaheed Orphanages prominently displayed. Cutting of the ribbon to commission the bus was done by the youngest child in the institutions—4 year old Sudesh together with PM Hinds, Minister Nandlall, Juman Yassin, Members of the Board. Appreciation plaques were presented to several persons and groups. …………………………...………. REYAZ HUSSEIN Public relations Executive
Posted on: Mon, 22 Dec 2014 10:19:10 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015