‘Men on Mission’ hands over brand-new home to Herstelling granny

– to build 150 houses for vulnerable Guyanese next year

President Dr Irfaan Ali on Sunday handed over a brand-new home to 85-year-old Meena Bafan of Herstelling on the East Bank Demerara (EBD), which was built under the recently launched “Men on Mission” (MoM) initiative.
Following an impromptu visit to that community two weeks ago, President Ali had a first-hand view of the unfortunate living conditions of the elderly woman and her grandson and immediately committed to constructing a home for the woman at no cost to her.

With the assistance of the Guyana Police Force (GPF), the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA), and the private sector, in particular, GAICO Construction, the reconstruction process commenced.
In brief remarks, the Head of State expressed that the reconstruction of the house is a testimony of “who we are as a people—as a country when we come together…”
“This is what is going to transform our country, the way we think and feel about each other. When we can come together, people of all persuasions, whether it is political, social, or ethnic… come together and work to deliver good things for the citizens across our country. This is going to help us to cement ourselves as ‘One Guyana’. This is what MoM is going to be about next year.”
According to President Ali, Sunday was not only about celebrating with Bafan, who has been living in the community for over four decades but also opening opportunities for families with house lots who would like to commence building their homes.
He said residents of Herstelling have engaged those who supplied materials for the rebuilding of the pensioner’s home and want to know how they “can build houses like this, this fast; in 10 days”.
As such, President Ali explained, “We are looking to have the banks involved now. The banks are willing to put the financing once you have your land and we would put the team together… a house like this we would work to deliver everything you are seeing here for about $5 million to anyone who has their own land anywhere and that is as a result of the intervention of the private sector.”
He highlighted that the houses are “very, very decent” for that investment.
“So, next year under the Men on Mission umbrella, we are going to launch a massive programme.

We are hoping that through the Men on Mission initiative next year we can build at least 150 houses across the country,” added the Guyanese leader.
And with the construction of new homes, he said that there will be enough job opportunities.
Expanding the project, the Head of State also posited that the Government will explore the option of providing the Guyanese-Venezuela migrants with jobs.
This, he said, will be complemented by workers from Albouystown, Georgetown, and other similar communities throughout the country. These workers, the President noted, will be trained thoroughly in carpentry and masonry.
Interested persons are urged to contact the offices of the Police Commissioner and the Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force (GDF) to register.
President Ali also noted that it is not only Government that should be praised for the initiative but also the private sector. “These guys are willing to actually reduce profit lines and everything for the wood and labour, which is one of the most critical things for us.”
The Head of State also noted that in the new year, there would be a “massive push with community involvement,” which will see all the small pathways and roads rehabilitated.
Tree-planting exercises and other community infrastructure works will also be done by the communities.
“So, while the last two years, we’ve been focusing heavily on the transformative agenda. I think next year will be a massive push on community development, village development that really pushes people development also.”
He stressed that he does not want MoM to become a reactive initiative but a proactive one that is spread across the entire country. He also noted that on the last Sunday of January, MoM is planning a “Home with Dad” event.
“We’re encouraging all fathers to be at home to cook for your family, to spend the entire day with your family, to play with your children, to bring families together… There is absolutely no beauty in becoming wealthy as a country, and we are poor as a people; the way we think, the way we act, the way we behave, the way we socialise, the way we treat our families and our communities.”
The Men on Mission initiative, which was launched on October 28, 2022, by President Ali, was implemented with the intent to reposition the role of the male population in society by tackling major issues such as violence against women and children and being more responsible.
It is also expected to focus on reversing the societal failure to confront critical issues affecting the male population and finding permanent solutions that will pave the way for better men, throughout communities.