As the Benschop Foundation continues its effort to reach out to single mothers and children, a team made its way up to Albion, Corentyne in Berbice and distributed a quantity of clothing, foodstuff, books, footwear and stationery.
Mark Benschop and Peter Ramsaroop with some of those that donations were made to.
Head of the foundation, Mark Benschop, accompanied by businessman Peter Ramsaroop, a supporter, made the presentation to a group of mostly single mothers and children at St. Mary’s Anglican Church last Wednesday.
The visit was organized by a member of the church, Romel Ayasammy who remarked that the presentation was “just an example of the bigger things to come in future.”
He hoped that the foundation keeps up the good work it is doing and continues to reach out to communities. The women too expressed gratitude for the gesture and wished the foundation well.
Ramsaroop also made a commitment to start a bank account of $5,000 for every “newborn” in the community through the Benschop Foundation.
He said too that they would continue to deposit money into the account until the child attains the age of 18.
The team also stopped at the Kamal’s Home at Albion and distributed a quantity of stationery to the children and promised to return with more items.
They also stopped at the boxing gym of Howard Eastman and handed over boxing gear and other sports equipment to assist in providing free training for youths in the community.
Meanwhile some of the older women were moved to tears as Benschop relived his experiences of incarceration on a treason charge which he described as “wrong and unjust.”
He recalled suffering painful nights because he could not be a part of the growing up of his two sons. But he told them that the real pain began when his older son, nine-year-old Ranjeev, died in a mysterious fire in Queens, New York.
“…It became irrelevant whether I was in jail or not. Ranjeev’s death gave me the opportunity to be more focused. I would no longer allow myself to be used by any corrupt, immoral, racist or selfish politicians…”
He also told the women that he “made a pledge that my work would be in his [Ranjeev’s] memory. Seeing Ryan and having the opportunity to be with him [after five years] mean the world to me.”
Immediately after relating his story, Benschop ‘cheered’ the women up by serenading them with old Indian songs from the movies “Kabhi Kabhi, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and one from Hum Kissise Kum Nahin.”
He asked persons who wish to contribute to the foundation to “contact us directly at markbenschop@yahoo.com, call our office: 227-8113 or visit us at 77 Robb Street, Georgetown in the Court Yard Mall.”
Every person possesses innate goodness and Mark Benschop is making a turnaround from the bad days of his past. Good for him and good for Guyana. It is significant that he mentioned that his son’s death moved him to vow that “I would no longer allow myself to be used by any corrupt, immoral, racist or selfish politicians…” Confession is good for the soul. It would be a nice gesture if the Benschop Foundation could donate a pair of eyeglasses to renowned poetess Parvati Persaud-Edwards, who related in a newspaper letter recently her humiliating experience at a NIS office which she visited to claim benefits after damaging her eyeglasses. Please, Mark, help Parvati. Create more good karma in your life.
Who ever said that Mark Benschop was racially and politically partisan is obviously wrong. One only has to take a look at the rainbow of ethnicity that benefit from his benevolence to refute that claim.
Keep it up Mark
“I will no longer allow myself to be used by any corrupt, immoral, racist or selfish politicians”. WOW!. What a turn around. Good for you Mr Benschop. I know there are many many people out there who will never forget his agitation and misinformation on TV that led to them being brutalised and traumatised for life. May God bless you as you continue to repent of your sins.
What a mean spirited backhanded compliment and to think that the SN choose not to censor it.
Very interesting indeed.
Mark all the best! However, if it took the death of his son to make him change I wonder what will it take to make him continue! Mark has to realize that evil lurks around every corner he will make going forward. I hope that he will have the drive and commitments to continue making his promise of change………….
I am sure what mark decides on the way forward will be good for himself which will resonate country wide……. there are lots of people out there who can learn from mark which I hope they do………… write about about your experience pal!
There are criminals who use the pen, others the sword, and the worst it seems – are found in religion and politics.
Whatever, Mr. Mark Benschop faults are , he is very likely, no better or worse than the rest of us, with our imperfections and our ’skeleton in the closet ‘.
Good job Mark , it is good to see you working particularly, among the poor of various ethnic and cultural heritage.
‘ Let he who is without sin cast the first stone’.
Guess this photo op didn’t turn out too well for Mr. Ramsaroop because no one is giving him the time of the day. Keep it up Mr. Ramsaroop and eventually people will start taking you seriously and who knows maybe one day they’ll place the check /X beside your name.
But remember the regular Joe in Guyana isn’t really interested in the economics of things rather they care about their daily bread, security and future.
‘daily bread, security and future’ are all inseperable from economics – which most regular joe are constantly and difinitely worried about.
Guyanese worry about the above so much, that they continue to migrate in the thousands.
And, Mr. Ramsaroop should not allow his detractors to diminish his efforts, to contribute positively to the democratic development of the society, irrespective, of the degree of publicity he personally receives.
As long as his efforts are genuine and affect individuals and communities in a tangible and constructive way, he will earn the respects of those so affected.
His respect will likely not come from political patronage or propaganda, so characteristic of the political administration.
Keep up the good work Mark. But…but…. I’m wondering, just wondering!!!
You just wonderrng …eh….malaika06
Well I still fearing.
When people don’t like you, or when they feel you get off free, they go out of
their way to do whatever they please.
Yes he doing good work, but I hope he has someone wathcing his back.
I still maintain that he should high-tail it out of GY
Peter Ramsaroop never misses the opportunity to take a nice photo of his ‘good’ deeds. I can still remember the picture in the papers of the little boy riding the bicycle that ole pete presented him. As for Mark, I would hope he means what he says.