Govt joins Humanitarian Mission, other organisations to combat poverty

– mission invests in youth to become independent citizens

– aim is to educate, empower and elevate young people

– “It is impossible for the govt to employ everyone, so a trade is important” – Founder of Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc.

DPI, Guyana, Sunday, February 17, 2019

“If we want to break the cycle of poverty, we have to educate. Our vision is to educate, empower and elevate. As long we do these three; after you are empowered, you can move on to becoming successful in life.”

This view was posited by Founder of the of the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Incorporated, Suresh Sugrim.

Speaking to the Department of Public Information (DPI) in a recent interview, Sugrim said the overseas-based NGO located at Port Mourant, Region 6 is providing quality education and basic skills training aimed at combatting the cycle of poverty.

To meet the needs of residents, Sugrim said the organisation has decided to offer several skill-based programmes, which will assist the participants to become self-employed. These include information technology (IT)lessons, cosmetology, sewing and cake decorating. Currently, there are 40 participants in the nine-month cosmetology course am another 15 benefitting from the IT classes that entail troubleshooting, repairs and network essential.

Participants involved in a practical aspect of the cosmetology course

Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton and team, including Region 6 REO, Kim Williams-Stephen, during a recent visit to the Humanitarian Mission Guyana office, at Port Mourant, Corentyne

Founder of the Humanitarian Mission Guyana Inc., Suresh Sugrim [left], greets Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton

Participants in the cooking class

Students working during sewing class

According to Sugrim, each participant is required to contribute $2,500 per month which goes towards paying the facilitators. “We buy the materials and encourage the students to come… learning a trade is important,” he emphasised.

Already, the Ministry of Social Protection has commenced an entrepreneurship skill training programme, at the facility, which focuses mainly at edifying teenagers and even adults, on ways of establishing their own business.

Just a few days ago, Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton along with a team, visited the NGO’s Guyana head office, on the Corentyne Coast. There, the minister guaranteed that several programmes would be streamlined, to benefit the youths.

“I am very impressed… and I am certain that the ministry will be able to utilise your programmes to have a positive impact on the community,” the minister with responsibility for youth reiterated during his visit.

Also, in collaboration with the Save Abee Foundation, the NGO has been able to implement English and Mathematics classes, which target mostly school drop-outs.

Sugrim noted that several former participants are beneficiaries of interest-free loans which has provided them with the opportunity to establish their businesses.

The Humanitarian Mission Guyana Incorporated is an arm of the world’s Humanitarian Mission of New Jersey Arya Samaj Incorporated. The headquarters is located in New Jersey, United States of America (USA).

Story and Images: by Kellon Rover