Pres Ali pledges another $1M to Dharm Shala to boost operations

– announces more interventions in 2025

President Dr Irfaan Ali presented $1 million to the Dharm Shala on Christmas Day during a luncheon with the residents of the institution. This donation will allow the Dharm Shala to continue providing its compassionate services to the elderly.
“Today (Wednesday), we’re going to give the institution another million dollars that we always leave at the end of the year. We’re going to continue to support this institution. We’re going to expand this support next year.”
According to the President, this support will boost the century-old Dharm Shala institution, enhancing its mission of providing free humanitarian services to those in need.

The Head of State topped it off by further announcing that, in addition to this donation, two additional interventions will be introduced in 2025 to strengthen the organisation’s efforts.
“I’ve already communicated to Mr Boyer that, in addition to the subvention, I will try to see how I can make two other interventions during the year that will support the institution.”
Ali also acknowledged the challenges that the elderly face in Guyana and commended the unwavering work of those taking care of them at the facility.
“It is not that these persons, brothers and sisters, who are part of this institution, are a weight on society or a weight on this institution. They are as much equal as we are. They are part of this family of humanity. Many times, our elderly in our community face the challenges of family and community, and these sisters, do enormous work with the support of their staff.”

It has been a yearly tradition for the President to visit the institution on Christmas Day to share in the festivities and reinforce the Government’s firm support. He also distributed toys to the children of the community in the spirit of spreading joy during this season.
Meanwhile, Vice President of the Dharm Shala, Pamela Ramsaroop, highlighted some of the challenges the institution faces daily.
These issues include the parapet near their office and home, which is now a horse stable with two to three horses at any one time. More dangerously, there is the practice of tethering horses and horse carts to the electrical lantern posts on the parapet near the King Edward Street Bridge.
This pulling by horse and cart will eventually weaken the posts, upset the wires, and potentially cause a fierce conflagration, she related.
To top it off, flies and urine smells are always present, posing an ever-serious health problem to the occupants at the facility.
Although the affected parapets were thoroughly cleaned during the recent Government cleanup drive, they are being overwhelmed by a daily barrage of rubbish, turning the area into a dumping site.

“This is a very upsetting spectacle,” she said. “The possible reason for this is the lack of consistent monitoring or arrests of offenders. The site remains a great deterrent to visitors, both local and foreign.”
However, amidst this, the institution continues its work and remains thankful for the investments.
Ramsaroop emphasised that residents are provided with daily meals, clean and comfortable accommodation, as well as social and religious fulfilment.
“As in previous years, the Dharm Shala has been visited by a few local visitors and those from overseas, all bringing with them small monetary donations, which are all gratefully received by management. Owing to the age of the Dharm Shala, and always with the safety of residents in mind, repair and maintenance work of the Dharm Shala is continuous,” she related.