The West Indian
Guyana, August 17, 2007

The West Indian – Aug 17, 2007
THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN, SENIORS BENEFIT

From NJASM Humanitarian Mission To Guyana

New Jersey – The New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. (NJAM) has just completed its third annual Humanitarian Mission to Guyana, reaching out to the less fortunate children, including those in orphanages, and needy seniors in that country.

According to Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the NJASM, over the past months, a number of “important events” took place, through the help and support of the Guyanese-American community as well as other communities. The organization started its activities for this year with a massive fund-raising drive in NY-NJ area during the November-May 2007 period, making appeals to the general public, various Mandirs, Masjids, Churches, social and religious organizations.

The organization started its activities for this year with a massive fund-raising drive in NY-NJ area during the November-May 2007 period, making appeals to the general public, various Mandirs, Masjids, and Churches, social and religious organizations. Among the events held was a pre-Mother’s Day Concert dubbed “The Arya Swaranjali”, which took the form of family entertainment with songs and dances and music by the Angel Caribbean Band.

Pandit Sugrim said the Humanitarian Mission aims at promoting the social values upon which the Arya Samaj and Sanatan Dharma is established.

The NJASM has been and continues to address the needs of the less fortunate children in the orphanages in Guyana as well as needy senior citizens. “We are very grateful to all its (NJASM) members and the general public, without whose help and continued support it would not have been possible to expand on this mission,” Pandit Sugrim said in the press statement.

The Humanitarian Mission’s activity at Enmore on Sunday July 15, 2007 was graced by the presence of Prime Minister Sam Hinds; Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Priya Manickchand, and United States (US) Ambassador to Guyana, Mr. David M. Robinson.

Prime Minister Hinds lauded the “valuable work” being done by the NJSM Humanitarian Mission in helping “to lessen human suffering” in Guyana through its charitable work and donations to the needy and disabled.

The Prime Minister reflected on his association with the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission last year in Port Mourant and quoted that “the hand that giveth is as blessed as the hand that receiveth.” Hinds also lauded and endorsed the activity of the Mission for the second time by pledging his continued support as it continues “to work towards the lessening of human suffering,” regardless of race, age, color or creed.

Ambassador Robinson, in his remarks, expressed satisfaction and encouragement for the contribution being made by the NJASM Humanitarian Mission, the Guyanese Diaspora and the American people who contribute generously to the activities of the NJSM and Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission (GCAS) Humanitarian Mission. He pledged his support the Mission in its future activities.

More than 500 children of nursery, primary and secondary school children were provided with school supplies during the activity at Enmore.

During the mission to Guyana, under the leadership of Pandit Sugrim, Dr. Ramesh Sugrim, President of the Guyana Chapter along with other members, school supplies were distributed to over 200 needy school children at the Vreed-en-Hoop Arya Samaj Mandir. These donations were open to children of all races and religion.

Each secondary and primary school child that benefited from this year’s activity was given $1,000.00 to assist in purchasing of the school boots. Each child received approximately $3,000.00 to $4,000.00 of school supplies, the press statement said.

At the distribution exercise in Enmore, the following persons were presented with Special Certificate of Senate Recognition and awards from the NJASM Humanitarian Mission in recognition for their outstanding and invaluable service to the community: Prime Minister Hinds, Ambassador Robinson, Minister Manickchand, Pt. Kamal Dhanesar, and Dr. Ramesh & Parbatie Sugrim.

The NJASM also extended its outreach once again to East and 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.

According to the press release it is estimated that some 3,000 very needy cases and disabled persons will benefit from this year’s humanitarian activity.

Also among the numerous activities the mission conducted, was the handing over of needed items to a young mother of West Berbice who lost the items she purchased for her unborned baby in a fire.