The COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increased poverty and food insecurity across many communities in Guyana. With many families losing their only source of income, while many are now at home and are unable to provide for themselves.
Hampers being prepared to be distributed – Photo Credit: FFTP
With an aim towards providing necessary food and health resources during this period, Food for the Poor Guyana in April ramped up distribution efforts across the country. Recently, Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. donated one thousand, and thirty-three hampers to community partners across various regions in Guyana.
These hampers contained food and healthcare items and were distributed in Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10. A few community groups that benefited from FFTP’s COVID-19 hamper relief aid is the National Federation for the Disabled, Young Voices GY, Rotary Club of Georgetown, and Persistence for Harmony.
FFTP’s community partner, Young Voices GY, caters to approximately 80 young persons with disabilities in Regions 4, 10, and 2 monthly.
Ganesh Singh speaking on behalf of the Young Voices GY, stated that they are very thankful to FFTP for all the support thus far.
“The partnership has been very excellent and has made a real difference in the lives of so many persons receiving aid. The monthly supplies received from FFTP goes a long way in covering the basic needs of many persons with disabilities, particularly through this trying period,” Ganesh said
Anita Balbad of the community group, Persistence for Harmonie in Region 3, spoke of the major impact FFTP has on fulfilling the needs of the impoverished in the community of La Parfaite Harmonie.
“We’ve been in partnership with FFTP for two years now and would often receive the aid of foodstuff, clothing for children, and stationery on a monthly basis, and we’re very grateful for all the support,” Anita noted.
The Persistence for Harmonie group currently caters to approximately 100 families but will soon ramp up their numbers as there is a tremendous need in the community.
Food for the Poor Guyana Inc has also been targeting specific communities in need to provide relief. Amongst these communities are the Solus Christus Community, Swan Village, and New Hope Village. All of these communities were developed by FFTP in 2013, 2015, and 2018 respectively.
The Solus Christus community in Trafalgar, West Coast Berbice, is now home to 64 families. These families were amongst the first to benefit from FFP Guyana’s COVID-19 hamper relief program.
In the small Indigenous community of Swan Village, Soesdyke Highway, four hundred and fifty residents are being catered for while forty-three families are being catered for in New Hope Village, West Coast Berbice.
FFTP developed these communities in an effort to provide adequate housing and promote developmental opportunities for underprivileged persons. These families were provided with their own homes and access to clean water.
No formal job sector exists in any of these communities, and most residents rely on domestic work, caregiving, farming, or construction. Given the pandemic, many of their sources of income have been taken away. As a result, FFTP has, for three-month periods, provided all three communities with food rations, face masks, and cleaning and sanitary supplies.
According to Food for the Poor Guyana Inc., it remains committed to its mandate of saving lives, transforming communities, and renewing home across Guyana’s breadth.
