In recognition of its efforts in supporting the country’s vulnerable children for over 20 years, First lady Sandra Granger lauded the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) at its annual Orphans and Vulnerable Children Fun Day on Sunday.
Also present at the event was Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo and United States Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Holloway.
At the fun day, Mrs Granger observed that the advocacy employed by CIOG has been “valuable”.
“I want to commend [the] CIOG for its very valuable work among our vulnerable citizens,” the First Lady told the gathering at the CIOG’s Woolford Avenue complex.
The event included children from Kamal House, the Joshua House, the Guyana Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home and the Shaheed Girls and Boys Orphanages.
The First Lady also praised the children, who obtained success at the recent National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) and the Caribbean
A student receives a certificate of achievement from First Lady Sandra Granger
Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. Additionally, bursary awards were distributed to children who performed excellently at the NGSA and CSEC.
“It is important that you know that you are recognised as valuable people, as valuable citizens and that… you have people that care about you and who are interested in your growth and development… I want to congratulate those who have completed their CSEC and Grade Six exams and those who are continuing to go through the system, entering and completing their tertiary education with support from CIOG,” she stated.
The First Lady made clear her satisfaction with CIOG expanding its reach to include children from other faiths, with it now serving “over 500 children” across the nation.
“Children are left with their parents and their communities because the belief is that they do better there than in an institution, which means that Islam is also supporting the building of strong families,” she remarked.
CIOG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sheikh Mooen ul-Hack pointed out that “all of the major religions of the world prescribe that their followers show kindness to orphans, but Muslims pay particular head to this edict as the Prophet Mohammed was himself an orphan,” he noted.
“We are happy and we are thankful to the Lord that he has chosen us to be of service to his creation, especially you, our children,” ul-Hack stated.
The CEO noted that over the years, the CIOG’s programme for children has benefited from the support of the Zakat House of Kuwait, sponsors from the United States, Canada, the West Indies and Europe. He added that the $1 million allocation given to the organisation by President David Granger was being used to “subsidise the children’s tuition fees”.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nagamootoo posited that the event was a “demonstration of the Muslim community’s dedication to serving the underprivileged”.
“It is a tribute, generally, to the Muslim community and organisations that they have taken, initially, a bold step to accommodate children, who might have lost one or both parents,” Nagamootoo outlined.
The Prime Minister told the orphans that Government wanted to ensure that they were supported, adding that “a meaningful contribution to nation building” could be made through unity.
“We want to make sure that you take your rightful place in the society, that you contribute to building harmony in Guyana, cohesion, unity. We are all Guyanese, whether we are born in divided homes or troubled homes… The only way we can overcome our difficulties… is if we achieve unity, love and cohesion,” expressed Nagamootoo.
US Ambassador Holloway also applauded CIOG for its efforts.
“I applaud the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG) for all [its] efforts in supporting the youths in all 10 regions of Guyana by sending young people to school, providing health care at clinics and hospitals, alleviating poverty and essentially making sure that these kids know that there is someone out there that care about them,” Holloway indicated.
The Prime Minister’s wife, Sita Nagamootoo, and Member of Parliament Bibi Shaddick were also present at the CIOG event.
