Humanitarian Mission 2009 kicked off on Saturday August 1st. Application forms for areas in need were distributed to the four orphanages in East Berbice – the Alpha Home at Gay Park, Canaan Home at Port Mourant, Camal Home for the Homeless at Albion and the Anjuman Orphanage in New Amsterdam.

Last Monday, inmates of the Dharm Shala at Fort Canje were taken on a tour of New Amsterdam and its environs. Six senior citizens got makeovers, were treated to culinary delights, and given hygiene kits along with other tokens.

The Mission also fêted 200 children from the four orphanages along with other underprivileged ones on Tuesday.

Five-year old Khumesh Haracknarine of Number 79 Village, Corentyne, and 23-year old Haresh Pritipaul of Kilcoy on the Corentyne got a wheelchair each on Saturday.

Haresh Pritipaul was never able to walk. Anita Khan, mother of Khumesh Haracknarine, claimed that no doctor was able to tell her what exactly is wrong with him. The boy can see only shadows, say only two words – ‘Mum’ and ‘Boo’, and is unable to walk.

The woman could not stop thanking the Humanitarian Mission for the gesture.

“I am glad for the wheelchair and I want to thank them. I had to fetch him around all the time now he get a wheel chair and that is easier.”

Pandit Sugrim explained that the wheelchairs were acquired from the New Amsterdam Rotary Club.

On Friday, new born baby kits were distributed to the maternity ward at the New Amsterdam Hospital.

The Humanitarian Mission in Guyana commenced in 2005 in Berbice and has been held annually since. In 2007 the organisation expanded its service to include the entire Guyana. It is executed in collaboration with the Guyana Central Arya Samaj and the Berbice Central Arya Samaj.

The Guyana Chapter is headed by Dr. Ramesh Sugrim of Williamsburg, while the Public Relations Officer is Magistrate Chandra Sohan and Pandit Kamal Dhanesar – Secretary.