January 18, 2013 By admin

By Vishnu Bisram

The New Jersey Arya Samaj plans to build a skills development training centre in Port Mourant, Berbice. It will be the first building to be constructed by the organisation overseas as part of its Humanitarian Mission Village project.The organisation has been involved in many humanitarian projects over the years in Guyana and has been doling out millions of dollars in this regard.The Port Mourant Skills Centre is being spearheaded by Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj. It is undertaken in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, government agencies and NGOs in North America and Guyana. Religious organisations in Canada are also assisting with the project. The goal is to complete the project by March 2014. The Skills Centre will be built on a 1.6-acre plot of land which was leased from the government of Guyana. Construction of this building is expected to commence in February 2013 immediately after the completion of the concrete fence which is currently under construction at an estimated cost of G$7 million. In a press release issued, the organisation stated that the project is being done in phases with Phase 1 being the fence, Phase 2 the Skills Development Centre, Phase 3 the benevolent home for seniors and Phase 4, a building to offer a safe haven for victims of gender-based violence and orphans. Phase 1 and 2 are estimated to cost US$150,000 of which US$100,000 has already been raised. “At this centre, youths and adults would be given an opportunity to learn various skills that will enable them to earn a living and so get themselves out of the cycle of poverty in which many youths and adults are caught up” said Pandit Suresh Sugrim. Pandit Sugrim noted the he embraces the philosophy of “teaching a man to fish rather than providing him a fish”.  He said giving people a handout is a temporary solution to overcome poverty. “People should be trained to make a living on their own and once they have skills they won’t be dependent on anyone”.

Artist’s conception of the Skills Development Training Centre to be constructed as part of the Humanitarian Mission Village project at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne spearheaded by
the New Jersey Arya Samaj.

A Skills Development Training Centre will be the first building to be constructed in the Humanitarian Mission Village project at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne undertaken by the New Jersey Arya Samaj in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj, Government agencies and NGOs in North America and Guyana.
The Centre will be built on a 1.6-acre plot of land which was leased from the Government of Guyana. Construction of this building is expected to commence in February 2013 immediately after the completion of the concrete fence which is currently under construction at an estimated cost of G$7 million.
The project is being done in phases with Phase 1 being the fence, Phase 2 the Skills Development Centre, Phase 3 the benevolent home for seniors and Phase 4, a building to offer a safe haven for victims of gender-based violence and orphans.
“At this centre youths and adults would be given an opportunity to learn various skill which they can then use to earn a living and so get themselves out of the cycle of poverty in which many youths and adults are caught up” said Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj, who is spearheading the project. He embraces the philosophy of teaching a man to fish rather than providing him a fish; giving a handout is a temporary solution.
The Guyana project coordinator, Pandit Kamal Dhanessar added, “One of our objectives is to reach out to the community where we have single parents and school dropouts, so that by having this centre ready, we can begin the skills training of all these people who are not empowered”.
The aim of the mission is to empower people for social and economic well being.
“We are hoping that this whole project, upon completion by March 2014, will become a hub of activities, and will be of great social and economic benefit for Region Six and other community”, Pandit Dhanessar stated. He added that people outside of Region Six will also be accommodated in the dormitories that will be built later on.
Pandit Sugrim told Indo Caribbean World that the establishment of the Humanitarian Mission Village came about after considering the high rate of school dropouts, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, rape, suicide, and poverty in many rural areas in Guyana. He added that in addressing these social challenges, it is the Mission’s firm belief that the only way to break the vicious cycle of poverty is through empowerment and education, equipping individuals to be self sufficient.
Phase 1 and 2 are estimated to cost US$150,000 of which US$100,000 has already been raised. A concert, hosted by Hindu Organizations of Greater Toronto, will be held on February 2, 2013 at the Vedic Cultural Centre, 4345-14th Avenue, Markham to generate funds to support this noble project and to raise awareness of the project. Many young artistes from New Jersey and Toronto would be show casing their talent in singing, dancing and music. They promise a very exciting and heart-warming variety show in this winter season.

For more information please call Adit at 647-866-1926 or Dave at 416-918-4038.

December 22, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News

By Leon Suseran

Construction has begun on the US$400,000 Benevolent Home at Ankerville, Port Mourant Corentyne. A simple block- laying ceremony was recently held at the site. The fence has started to take shape around the complex. The New Jersey Arya Samaj and its Guyana chapter, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, turned the sod for the construction of the complex in March of this year.
The home will provide accommodation for street children, abused persons, the aged without family, as well as provide a skills training centre meant to train and empower not only the residents of the village, but also single parents, teenage mothers, and school dropouts, amongst others. According to a representative of the NJASHM, Pandit Kamaldeo Dhanessar, Phase One of the massive project has begun and is scheduled to be completed by January 2013. Upon completion, Phase Two, the construction of an empowerment centre, will begin.
“The empowerment centre will be a centre for skills training. One of our objectives is to reach out to the community where we have single parents and school dropouts, so that by having this centre ready, we can begin the skills training of all these people who are not empowered”. The aim of the mission is to empower people for social and economic well- being. “We are hoping that this whole project, upon completion by March 2014, will become a hub of activities, and will be of great social and economic benefit for the Region 6 community”, he added. “Of course, we may have instances where people outside of Region Six will be accommodated in the dormitories that we will be setting up later on. We hope that we will have the cooperation of all stakeholders”.
A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) Region Six Councilor, Mr Crawford, who also laid a block at the ceremony, said that he has been paying very close ‘attention to the benevolent home project. “I feel very much honoured to participate in such an activity, because, for the time that this organization has been established in Guyana, I have been very impressed by the number of projects they have done in schools. “They will have our fullest support.” Imran Ally, Deputy Regional Executive Officer, who represented the Government of Guyana, also laid a block. He was pleased about the start of the actual construction. “We are pleased to be here at this cornerstone laying and for his initiative happening right here in Berbice and we just want to say hats- off and kudos to the mission.” Ally noted, too, that the government knows that it cannot fulfill all the needs of the people by itself, “and here is where we have an organization partnering with the government to bring relief to the less- fortunate”. He applauded the government’s commitment to support the project, and provide technical assistance “to continue to see this project to its completion stage and it comes to fruition”

 IN AID OF THE OF THE NEW JERSEY ARYA SAMAJ HUMANITARIAN MISSION VILLAGE PROTECT

YOU HAVE TO EXPERIENCE IT… AN EVENT FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY…

We kindly request you and your family support, for this fund raising event in aid of building a much needed benevolent home in Guyana that will offer a safe haven for victims of gender-based violence and orphans. Not only that, but it will also house a Skills Development Centre. Thirdly a benevolent home for seniors.

The aim of the mission is to empower people for social and economic well being.

DATE: SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2013
TIME: 5:00-8:00 P.M.
VENUS: VEDIC CULTURAL CENTRE
4345, 14TH AVENUE
(KENNEDY & 14TH AVE)
MARKHAM ONT

AN EVENING OF SONGS| CANADIAN AND AMERICAN ARTISTES accompanied by David Singh- Keyboardist and Mandolin player; JEETU- Flute and Bansuri player; DANCE, COMEDY| BY Mark Trinidad, POETRY| Nadine Williams DINNER, RAFFLE| (Prizes over $200 in Value!),
FASHION SHOW| ft. Kiran’s Couture, AND MUCH MORE!!
TICKETS: ADULTS -$15 ;
CHILD (6-12 YRS): $10
CHILD UNDER 6 YRS : FREE

However if for any reason you are unable to attend, we humbly ask if possible…Can you each donate $20.00 towards helping our brothers and sisters in Guyana. Remember your donation will go towards :
1) Stop Gender Based Violence
2) Orphans
3) Empowerment through Skills Training
4) Home for Seniors
Please let us know if you would like to donate towards this worthwhile cause. we will make arrangements of send you your receipt.
If you will attend we can have tickets dropped off for you. Just let us know the amount, or we can have them at the door for you to pick up.

If you would like to see more pictures on this event, please click on the links below:

Preparation of the Hot Meals | Distribution of the Hot Meals

Vulnerable persons are expected to benefit from a humanitarian village that will be constructed at Ankerville, Port Mourant, Corentyne by the New Jersey Arya Samaj and its Guyana Chapter, the Guyana Central Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission.

At the sod turning ceremony on Saturday, Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, according to the GINA press release, expressed his appreciation towards the organization for efforts which he said complement the work of the government.

“In a world where we all find ourselves stretched to provide for our needs, the Samaj has embarked on a project to help the needs of the less fortunate… I challenge and encourage others to do what they could to meet the evidenced need of their community,” he stated.

Also addressing the gathering was Region Six Chair-man, David Armogan, who opined that persons living in the countryside are the ones mostly affected by societal ills and as a result, considered the location suitable.

“At the regional level, we are committed to such a project, as such whatever is necessary for us to do, we will do… other friendly societies, NGOs and social groups are welcomed to partner with the region to address societal problems,” Armogan stated.

Red Thread Representative, Karen De Souza, said that there will never be enough organizations addressing the needs of the less fortunate. “Whilst this initiative is impressive, we have to commit ourselves to being willing, bold and brave enough to speak out against societal issues… we need to call out the influential people to desist from abusing and taking advantage of the poor and those that are weak willed,” she noted.

Meanwhile, Jennifer Webster, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, considered the sod turning for the construction of the village as historic in Guyana, and moreover for Region Six.

“The Samaj is a body we should be proud of for the humanitarian work they are doing and their initiative to fund a project that will help the less fortunate… government is committed to working with not only the Samaj but any other organization that is willing to become a partner as we must all join forces to rid society of age long societal ills,” Webster said.

She further stated that if these persons are denied access to services of support, society will rapidly deteriorate as these ills are on the increase.

“This is something that must be dealt with… we have seen increased efforts from the judiciary in dealing with matters of domestic violence and child abuse… however, many of our victims at the end of it all cannot face up to what happened to them, therefore the need for support,” the Human Service Minister pointed out.

United States Embassy, Deputy Chief of Mission, Thomas Pierce considered the Arya Samaj and like organizations as indispensible and noted that they assist government by providing a number of social services which spur development.

Canadian High Commis-sioner, David Devine, expressed pleasure with the Samaj for not only this project but previous works, particularly in the area of humanitarian relief. He said that such selfless acts speak volumes and should not go unrecognized.

Also present, GINA said, was Guyana’s Consul General to Canada, Sattie Sawh, who said “we are witnessing the commencement of something that will have impact on thousands who stand to benefit… this project is significant as it cuts across religion and political and cultural identities as it will be opened for the betterment of all and it will not only be a place to have a meal or spend the night but it will also offer educational and skills training opportunities, which is exemplary”.

March 26, 2012 | By KNews | Filed Under News
Kaieteur News

In giving an overview of the project, Pandit Kamal Dhanessar said that the village will house an empowerment centre which will offer skills training in areas such as Information Technology, garment construction, food catering, basic vehicle repairs and electrical installation. The residents will live for a period of time in the village “and when they leave this village, we hope they will be coming out with the necessary skills that they can move into the mainstream society, in the community.”
A guest house will also be erected for overseas- based members of the Mission and on the lower flat there will be off- duty nurses, “because…we also visualise we will need nurses to take care of the old folks and of the children who will be living in the village”. The ambitious project will also see the construction of a multi- cultural shed and “a part of it will be enclosed as multiple prayer rooms where the residents will be allowed to practice their religion”.
The organisation noted that although government has piloted the requisite laws relating to child abuse, domestic violence and other social problems facing Guyanese, the social ills continue unabated. The Humanitarian Village will provide accommodation for street children, abused persons, aged persons without families, as well as provide skills training meant to train and empower not only the residents of the Mission Village, but also single parents, teenage mothers and school drop-outs.
There will also be a tech- voc education programme for accreditation with the Ministry of Education for empowerment.
President of Red Thread, Karen de Souza lauded the effort of the Arya Samaj Mission “because there will never be enough of us who are addressing the needs of the vulnerable and needy”. She noted that while it is good to “put up buildings” the issues should be addressed, such as “skills and how do we move the vulnerable kids and abused women to situations to independence and taking care of themselves”.

“We have to commit ourselves and be bold to speak out when we see our friends and relatives being violent”.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Jennifer Webster, in her address, gave the government’s commitment to the project, “because if we don’t arrest this problem and ensure our victims have access to justice, then our society will go further downhill”. She added that the judicial system is committed “now to working with us…and once we have legislation in place, there is need for us to look at issues affecting the implementation and to try to have these issues resolved”. She pledged to amend laws if possible, “because we cannot allow the perpetrators to get away and to flee…and many of our victims have been left traumatised and they have to endure counseling and….cannot face up to what has happened to them”. “Many of the victims are women and as a woman, I feel that we have to help each other…join forces…no matter what…help those woman, children to build their self- esteem and a project such as this is a commendable project because the mission will provide a number of facilities and skills”.
President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission, Pandit Suresh Sugrim chronicled the breakdown of the nation’s societal fabric and blamed it on entertainment shows that are laced with selling of alcohol especially to minors and children.
One such show was held in Canje last weekend, “and it was the most disgusting thing I have ever seen in my life”. “What I saw last Saturday…was a total shame and disgrace to our country that we allow international artistes to come into our country and take our people away”. He urged the religious leaders present at the ground- breaking ceremony to unite and tell the government “that enough is enough and whenever these artistes come into our country, and they’re gone, how are we going to fix the damage? Our people, children and family, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters were all getting drunk; where are our morals and values, the mandirs, churches and mosques?” he questioned.
U.S. Charge de Affairs Thomas Pierce, in adding his bit, stated that the people-to-people activities, that do not involve government, “are all important facets of our bilateral relationship”. He lauded the Mission Village since it will be a place that will approach the problems in a comprehensive way in that skills training will also be provided for the residents, “and will also support other victims of domestic violence”. He pledged the U.S.’s support to the issues that the Mission Village will be tackling.
Consul General to Canada, Mrs. Sattie Sawh was proud of the type of work that is taking place and offered her encouragement to the project. “This village is addressing a need that exists far beyond the boundaries of any one religion, racial, political or social group….and addressing any and all disadvantaged people does not have a single discriminatory aim and I am very proud of this”.
High Commissioner of Canada, His Excellency David Devine noted that there is a need for such a project and urged that recognition be given to projects such as these. He urged the government and private sector to work together to support such ventures.
“The vision of this project is that of empowerment and that is a critical message, and it is open to all religions.”
It is important, he said, to focus on the root of the problem and pledged his government’s support to such programmes.
Prime Minister Samuel Hinds congratulated Pandit Sugrim and the NJASHM. Hinds, in addressing the gathering, stated that he has taken note on the comments of Pandit Sugrim of the kind of entertainers that have been coming to Guyana “and they do pose a problem….and I took note of the call that we should celebrate good role models”. He pledged that the government would do what it can but insisted that citizens should play their part as well.
“Let’s get the building going and I hope we develop enough momentum that the other challenges will be met”. He challenged others in Guyana to do similar projects “to meet the evident needs….so that we could establish a network of bonds through caring, sharing for each other”.
Construction of the complex will begin within a month.