News & Articles

NEW JERSEY ARYA SAMAJ MANDIR CHARITY OUTREACH

The following article was published in Guyana Chronicle, Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Samaj Vaani and the Navrang Times in July 2005.

Georgetown, Guyana, July 2005

Over the past month the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Inc of USA has been in Guyana coordinating a charity outreach programme to orphans on the Corentyne, Berbice. President of the New Jersey Mandir, Pandit Suresh Sugrim, has been coordinating the outreach programme on behalf of his Temple.

Working hand in hand with the local Arya Samaj organization in Berbice, the Berbice Central Arya Samaj - the Regional Branch of the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, they visited the Camal’s Home in Albion and the Canaan Orphanage in Port Mourant, Corentyne.

A feeding exercise was done for orphans of both institutions, as they spent time during an interactive session with the orphans. The session included singing with the kids, talking and socializing with them and teaching them to recite prayers. The sessions were conducted as a joint effort with both a Hindu and Christian Priest making contributions. Due to the enthusiasm showed by the orphans at the Camal’s Home, the Berbice Central Arya Samaj has organized for a twice monthly visit to the orphanage by a Hindu Priest to spend time with the orphans. The owner of the Camal’s Home remarked that the orphans welcomed interaction with members of the public and are happy whenever organizations visit them.

During the initial visit, Pandit Suresh Sugrim met with the orphanage officials and discussed future outreach programmes. Some requests were made for footwear for the students who would be beginning new school terms in September 2005 and also for Sewing Machines to start sewing classes for the orphans.

After discussions, Pt. Suresh Sugrim, just a week later, was able to secure further funding and has purchased 50 pairs of footwear for the High School Students of both institutions. He was also instrumental in procuring donations of four sewing machines.Two sewing machines were presented to each orphanage so that their sewing classes can be started.

Encouraged by the response from the orphans, Pt. Suresh is now determined that, after he returns to the USA, to raise further funds so that on an annual basis the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir can make a difference in providing to the needs of these orphans