Representatives of the various charities posing with businessman Nazar ‘Shell’ Mohamed and other stakeholders at the handing-over ceremony
Mohamed’s Enterprise has donated almost $2 million to 15 charities and organisations across the country as part of its corporate social responsibility.
Cheques were handed over to the various representatives on Friday during a simple ceremony held at the company’s Lombard Street office. The recipient organisations are: the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages, Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center, Joshua House Children Center, Guyana Society for the Blind, Bait-Ur-Rahman, St. Ann’s Orphanage, St. John’s Bosco Orphanage, Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dharm Shala, Guyana Islamic Trust, Gifted Hands Learning Center for Special Needs, St. Barnabas Special School, MET Pride Academy, and Diamond Special Needs School.
Kelvin Fortune received the sponsorship cheque from Nazar Mohamed to offset the McDoom project
During the presentation ceremony, businessman Nazar Mohamed commended the work of these entities, and expressed satisfaction with the role each of them plays in society. He also thanked the staff of those entities for their dedication and hard work in attending to the vulnerable.
“It’s shocking to know how many people have issues in the world: different sicknesses, Rett’s Syndrome, autism, Down’s Syndrome, and so many other issues. What you have been doing is amazing to take care of kids,” Mohamed expressed.
He also expressed hope that the financial aid given to these entities would assist them to further provide care for the vulnerable; and he noted that, over the years, both he and his family have been very supportive of the work of these entities.
He explained that, for decades, the Mohameds have assisted thousands of people who showed up at their door for assistance. “What you see here today is nothing compared to what we do behind the scenes… We do not make public 95 per cent of the donations we make; we feel that once God knows, that is all that matters.”
He added that he would continue to assist the less fortunate and those in need with the wealth that has been bestowed on him by God Almighty. This has always been his message, the businessman said. He feels that it was Allah who guided and blessed him with the wealth, so that he could, in turn, help those in need. He also recalled growing up in a poor family with hardly anything much to eat when he was a child.
He has also renewed his calls for other entities to step in and assist the needy, especially at this time of the year.
“We did not live that luxurious life back in the days…we struggled, but my parents ensured that our visitors received the best treatment, even if it meant giving up their beds and sleeping on the ground…my wife and I have raised our children to be contented, and provided them with the things we did not have when we were young…” he told Guyana Times.
Today, his son and two daughters have followed in his footsteps, and are also involved in charitable work. For this, he noted, he is extremely proud of them.
The recipient organisations have expressed how this contribution would translate to creating a better experience for both persons and animals in their care. In fact, a representative from the Diamond Special Needs School shared, “Our children actually look forward for this time of the year, when they can have fun, and you are one of the persons making it possible. With a heart of gratitude, we just want to say, ‘Thank you’.”
A representative of the Shaheed Boys and Girls Orphanages also indicated, “You have done so much for our children. Your generosity is beyond (the ordinary), and I just want to say, ‘Thank you’, for making it possible that we can take care of these children.”
The representative of the Ptolemy Reid Rehabilitation Center noted, “We’re truly grateful; and may you grow to continue sharing the love, so that we can continue to do what we are doing.”
These recipient organisations have all thanked the businessman for his incredible support over the years, and wished his family the best for the season.
Mohamed’s Enterprise, Falcon Logistics and Champion X have also teamed up to distribute 35 hampers to the elderly, and toys and goodies to 150 children resident along the East Bank Demerara corridor from McDoom to Agricola. In addition, these companies have executed some community works in this area.
