Food for the Poor donation to help with resource centre in Region 5

At the start of a partnership with the Food for the Poor (FFTP) organization, the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Five received 18 computer systems and a quantity of books to set up a resource centre.

Alex Foster; the Berbice representative of FFTP and the president of the Saint Francis Community Developers (SFCD) of Rose Hall, Corentyne presented the items to regional chairman, Bindrabhan Bisnauth.

At the simple ceremony, chaired by the Regional Education Officer, Owen Pollard on Friday, Foster said FFTP is “working in collaboration with the regional administration and the education department to establish the resource centre.”

Regional chairman, Bindrabhan Bisnauth (third, left) receiving a sample of the items from FFTP representative in Berbice, Alex Foster in presence of other regional officials

Six of the computer systems would be sent to the Esau & Jacob Developmental Centre (EJDC) in the Mahaicony Creek. The EJDC would also receive sewing machines after the systems are installed.

One hundred cartons of hand sanitizers were also presented to the region for the launch of the “Healthy Hand, Healthy Body” campaign at schools. Foster said he hopes the campaign can be incorporated in the schools’ health club.

The region has promised to provide a building to house the modern centre while FFTP would supply it with furniture, books and equipment.

He said the organisation would also be providing schools in the region with furniture and relevant books, teaching aids and learning materials.

The Amerindian Student Hostel would also benefit from a shipment of beds, mattresses and other items. Foster said UNICEF is willing to provide assistance to the hostel as well as to learning institutions.

According to him, “Region Five is on a threshold of new things” and would be done mainly through the FFTP representative in that region, Shazeena Seetayah.

He announced that they would “commence projects and programmes that were well thought out so that they can bring maximum support to a larger target audience.”

He said he hoped the success of the projects in Region Six can be replicated successfully in Region Five and noted that it can only be achieved through collaboration with various stakeholders.

These include “at the governmental level, the religious community, the private sector or any social services provider whose intentions are honourable to serve the poor of the poorest.”

The stakeholders also have to “ensure that projects are developed and the days when handouts were the order of the day from Food for the Poor would be terminated.”

He said that for 21 years FFTP, which has recommenced its house-building project was involved in handouts and “at the end of the day there was nothing much to blow about in trumpeting our causes and to impress other donors to come on stream.”

Foster who had dropped in at the chairman’s office a few weeks ago said he found him to be an “action oriented person.” The chairman subsequently toured the FFTP projects in Region Six and was impressed with what he saw.

In his brief remarks, Bisnauth said he realized that his region was being left behind and was grateful for the projects.

He pointed out that at the regional level close to $5 million would be spent at Cotton Tree on the complete rehabilitation of the ground and the bleacher and he hoped that upon completion FFTP would provide the furnishings.

He and the vice-chairman, Rion Peters also met members of the Bush Lot United Sports Club where some work would be done.

Bisnauth also said that the items for the Amerindian Hostel would be welcomed because the building is currently being rehabilitated by the region.