Pres Ali donates $2M to Dharm Shala

…water charges waived, temporary employment for residents

Water charges for the Dharm Shala in Albuoystown, Georgetown will be waived from the coming year, and residents of the home are to benefit from Government’s temporary employment programmes. These commitments have been made by President Dr Irfaan Ali on Christmas Day as he treated residents of the Dharm Shala to a special lunch.
This is the third consecutive Christmas in which President Ali has spent time with the elderly residents of this benevolent home. During his brief remarks, he assured that his Government is working aggressively to ensure that more is done for the elderly, including through a support system.

He announced that from January 2023, water charges for the institution would be waived, and a number of residents would benefit from Government’s temporary employment programmes as “additional help to support the work we are doing”.
The President also made a sizeable donation of $2 million to the institution, and praised the efforts of the Private Sector in continuously embracing its corporate social responsibility in support of this charitable institution.
“This year has not been an easy year, and I have been discussing ways in which we can further help the Dharm Shala. This year, I am pleased that we can give a cheque for $2 million to help you throughout the year. Beginning in January, we will waive the water charges for this facility,” the Head of State revealed.
He also applauded the “tremendous work of love, commitment, and selflessness” of the Ramsaroop family, who have been custodians of the Dharm Shala for the past 102 years.
On behalf of the Government, Ali said, efforts would continue, where necessary, to support the work of the institution and better the lives of its residents.
“One of the plans for development is how we treat the elderly, and we’re now working on a new platform – one in which we can have our elderly retiring where there is support needed, and more support systems ensuring more caregivers. We are working aggressively on ensuring that we do better and we do more,” President Ali shared.
The Head of State assisted in serving lunch to the residents, while Guyanese musician Ras Camo entertained those gathered with songs reflecting the merriment of the season. Also attending the activity were CEO of the board, Edward Boyer, as well as the Ramsaroop sisters Kella and Pamela. Following the event, President Ali shared toys to children of the community.
Pandit Ramsaroop Maharaj founded the charity in 1921, after travelling the length and breadth of Guyana. He had been a gold dealer in his earlier years, so that had allowed him to travel to the remotest parts of Guyana, where he had encountered the plight of his countrymen. He had noted that there was a pressing need to improve the state of the people he had seen on those trips.
On those trips, he had witnessed the poverty of the people, their suffering and deprivation, and had been deeply moved to the point where he knew that he needed to play his part in addressing their condition. He was enabled financially early in life to give up his profession and devote himself to full-time voluntary service towards helping the less fortunate members of Guyanese society. (G12)