New Jersey group willing to work with Culture Ministry

Monday, June 30, 2008

Georgetown, GINA, July 14, 2008

The Humanitarian Mission of the New Jersey Arya Samaj is keen on working closely with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport to promote youth and community development as it continues its humanitarian work in Guyana.

 President of the Mission Pandit Suresh Sugrim expressed this interest to Minister of Culture Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony at the launching of its enhancement programme at the Arya Samaj Mandir in Reliance, Region Six.

The empowerment programme was launched through collaboration with Food for the Poor with the aim of providing skills in various technical capacities for empowerment.

Pandit Sugrim said the Mission spent millions of dollars last year on humanitarian work but this time around its emphasis will be on enhancement.

 “Instead of giving you the fish we will be teaching you how to catch the fish, provided that you are willing to learn,” Pandit Sugrim said.


New Jersey Arya Samaj hands over pampers and pram to Berbice mother of triplets.

The mission has acquired a sewing machine to support its sewing classes and is also making provisions for the establishment of a cooking class at the same venue.

During the launching, a sewing machine and a stove were handed over to the President of the Reliance Arya Samaj Mandir. A stove was also presented to a Women’s Organisation which looks after the affairs of abused women in Berbice. Bicycles were also presented to about three youths who are from poor families.

Minister Anthony commended the religious body for promoting humanitarian values through skills training and other means noting that a wealth of gratitude is owed to the group for returning to Guyana and making such a meaningful contribution.

This, he noted can be a lesson for other religious bodies in their bid to make a difference in society.

“I think that if we can go beyond our separate religions and beliefs and help to change people’s lives then we will be doing the ultimate good of helping people generally. Sometimes that help don’t mean looking at thousands of people, it might mean helping your neighbour,” Minister Anthony said.

The mission recently launched a “laugh till you belly bus” show, its first fund raising venture at Albion to garner funds locally which will be put back into the community.



New Jersey Arya Samaj presents bicycle to Berbice youth in presence of Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Dr. Frank Anthony.

The Mission also handed over a house to the Latchman family who lost their home that was in a derelict condition. Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand was invited to witness the occasion.

Minister Anthony said synergies exist between his Ministry and the Humanitarian missions which can be strengthen with the two agencies working together.  Sewing programme with about 20 youths at the Smith Field Drop-in Centre and very soon will be moving into another building to expand its range of training.
Very soon the Ministry’s skills training programme for out of school youths which has been going at the Sophia and Kuru Kuru centres will be expanded to the ancient county.

The programme will be housed in a building next to the Regional office which will be converted into a skills training centre that will also be facilitating computer science and other skills.