Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc. last Saturday delivered a range of food items and clothing  to residents of Wakenaam  Island on the Essequibo River following a recent needs assessment by employees  of the charitable organization.

The NGO said in a press release that the items distributed included 10 bags of  light speckled kidney beans,  25 cases of chicken and beef broth,  66 packets of instant coffee mix, 300 bottles of flavoured tea and six bales of clothing.

Wakenaam has a population of about 4,500 people,  most of whom depend on agriculture for their livelihood, and the NGO is currently examining the possibilities of establishing micro-enterprise  activities for residents with the aim of making them more self-sufficient, the release stated.

Pastor Perry Birbal,  a community leader    of Melville Village, Wakenaam, had recently registered a need for assistance on behalf of 300 poor families  across the island.