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Stabroek News
Guyana, July 17, 2007

Arya Samaj mission extends outreach

Pandit Suresh Sugrim with Malinda Manhorall and her two children. (Photo In article, top right.)

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Inc Humanitarian Mission (Guyana Chapter) is back again providing service to the needy and has extended its outreach to West Berbice, East Coast Demerara, West Coast Demerara, Georgetown, and Essequibo.

The mission has already carried out field activity through the Departments of Education in Regions Four and Six, the Ministry of Human Services and the Arya Samaj Mandirs.

It is estimated that some 3,000 very needy cases and disabled persons will benefit from this year's humanitarian activity.

Pandit Suresh Sugrim, whose vision gave birth to the Humanitarian Mission three years ago, has done tremendous work in the United States to raise finds through concerts and donations.

The Humanitarian Mission started its annual activities by providing a septic tank and a two-room sanitary block worth $600,000 to the Camal Children's Home at Albion and food items, gardening tools and other necessities worth over $100,000 to the Alpha Children's Home at Gay Park, New Amsterdam.

Social Services Minister Priya Manickchand about to assist members of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Inc Humanitarian Mission (Guyana Chapter) to hand out donations at Enmore.

Last week, the mission restored all the lights at the Dharm Shala. Pandit Sugrim said $600,000 would be spent to carry out other work, which includes replacing broken windows, repairing the entire back wall and painting the entire lower flat and the front of the building.

The Rose Hall Town Youth & Sports Club (RHTYSC) supplied 16 gallons of paint, compliments of Harris Paints, to the home to assist with the project.

Coordinator of the institution, Bibi Khan expressed gratitude to Sugrim and his team as well as the RHTYSC for their contribution.

Khan said Harry Ramsaroop, whose father founded the home, had approached her and attorney-at-law John Persaud who is now the administrator, last September and requested that they manage the affairs of the institution.

Since then, she said they have been striving "to ensure that they [the occupants] have the necessary amenities and decent accommodation." She was also grateful for the help from Canadian-based Guyanese Ramdat Ramnarace who donated 15 new mattresses and 15 sheet sets. She also praised the New Covenant Christian Fellowship Church for contributing 20 pillows and 20 sheet sets and 24 plates and cups as well as spoons and mugs.

Meanwhile the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc has also reached out to Malinda Manhorlall, who was brutally wounded in a cutlass attack two years ago and is now struggling to raise her two children. After reading Manhorlall's story published in the June 19, 2007 edition of Stabroek News, the mission contacted Manhorlall and has agreed to provide her with food vouchers for the remainder of the year.

Pandit Suresh Sugrim told Stabroek News recently that they were compelled to help the woman given what she has endured.

"Our mission is committed to improving the quality of life for the less fortunate and this woman has suffered so much. We were moved by her story and with the generous assistance of Guyanese overseas in addition to various other communities we will assist her and the children," Sugrim said.

He said the organization is concerned is particularly about the children's welfare and will be following up with Manhorlall closely over the next few months. Sugrim noted that the organization has managed to maintain its mission to help people owing to donations from Guyanese living abroad.

Sugrim said the word 'Arya Samraj' means a noble society and they have pledged to lead by example and make an effort to eradicate all bad habits and negative influences in the lives of young children. He said they see children as the most treasured assets.

In accepting the assistance, Manhorlall said, a burden has been lifted off her shoulders since she no longer has to worry about food for her girls. She said since the article was published many persons have telephoned her offering words of encouragement and she has also been promised support. She said the overseas mission has made good on its promise and has given an assurance to continue assisting until year end.

She said that based on how she utilizes the vouchers the organization has promised to continue its support in 2008. Manhorlall, who was brutally chopped by her then reputed husband, Shafek Harper said she continues to thank God everyday for sparing her life and allowing her to see her girls grow up.

Over the past mission has assisted many children in Guyana through donations to orphanages and other organizations. The body usually organizes many cultural, religious and social events to raise funds.

The New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission was also to hand over items to a young mother of West Berbice who lost the items she purchased for her baby she is expecting in August in a fire.

Sugrim said the team would be distributing items to schoolchildren and senior citizens in East and West Berbice and on the West Coast Demerara until July 19.

Sugrim said the mission collaborates with his brother, Dr Ramesh Sugrim who heads the "local chapter," the Guyana and Berbice Central Ayra Samaj and other Hindu, Muslim and non-governmental organizations to raise funds for the venture which is conducted annually.

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