RHTY&SC cricket teams and friends hand over $3.7M new home to Sonaroo family

The twelve cricket teams of the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club (RHTY&SC) last Sunday joined with several donors to officially hand over a $3.7M home to Mr Chunilall Sonaroo and his family.

In attendance at the presentation, held under the chairmanship of Club Secretary/CEO Hilbert Foster, were representatives of several donors besides Region Six Chairman David Armogan.

In providing a background to the project, Foster said that in late August, he committed the cricket teams of the RHTY&SC to assisting the Sonaroo family with a home, despite the club never having been involved in such a project. This was after Chunilall Sonaroo had visited his office to plead for assistance, as the Sonaroo old home was falling apart and because his wife and only child were suffering from severe diabetes.
Several donors responded to a public plea for assistance from Foster, and construction of the new home started in less than one week after Chunilall Sonaroo had sought the RHTY&SC assistance. The Florida Guyana Hope donated over two million dollars, while Mahadeo Panchu of KSM Investment donated 1500 of that company’s finest concrete blocks. Navin and Sons Construction donated free labour and the foundation, while Anil Hardyal of Regal Stationery contributed two beds, a fridge, gas cooker, three-piece chair set, kitchen table and chairs, along with an electric fan. The Crab Wood Creek Relief Committee was also involved in the project, and would shortly be donating a computer for Sonaroo’s 14-year-old daughter.
President of Florida Guyana Hope, Mohammed Jamal Yasin, has said that his overseas-based organisation is delighted to be part of the project, which is one of several it was supporting in Guyana. He hailed the contribution of Foster, who highlighted the plight of the family and, as such, it caught his attention. The total cost of constructing the home and furnishing it, he disclosed, is $3.7M and he hailed the entity Navin and Sons for their support.
Region Six Chairman David Armogan spoke on the importance of making a positive difference in the lives of the less fortunate, and hailed the work of the club and the sponsors. He committed himself to making sure that water and electricity are added to the home in the shortest possible time.
An emotional Sonaroo disclosed that he prayed a lot before visiting the office of the club, and he said that Foster was his last hope after being disappointed on numerous occasions. He stated that Foster listened to his pleas and readily agreed to assist, and that he would be forever grateful to the club and the several donors. Barely holding back tears, the 63-year-old Sonaroo pledge to take proper care of his prized new home.
The cricket teams responsible for the development of the projects were Rose Hall Town Namilco Thunderbolt Flour Under-21 and first division, along with Vitality Under-23.