Robbery victims, single mothers among beneficiaries of Govt’s hamper distribution exercise
By Andrew Carmichael
While it may not seem like a lot, the hampers being distributed by the Guyana Government come as a great relief for single mothers, elderly persons, and even those who were robbed of all their earnings.
Hamper distribution exercise for persons in Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne)
On Wednesday, vulnerable persons in Port Mourant, Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) got to meet with officials from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry to have their concerns addressed. Leading the delegation was subject Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud.
In addition, some 250 households benefited from the distribution of care hampers which included groceries and toiletries.
In June this year, sections of Port Mourant were significantly flooded and many have not yet recovered from the losses suffered.
Moreover, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have not spared the residents of this area, many of whom have found themselves in the unemployment bracket and battling the rising cost of living.
One such person is Clairese Haywood, a single mother of two living at Ankerville, Port Mourant. She explained that the father of her five-year-old and eight-month-old left eight months ago to work in the interior and has not returned.
“It is very difficult to manage with the kids. Sometimes I get work by my friend and sometimes I don’t. I am really punishing,” the single mother lamented.
Haywood said she only got to work some weeks as a domestic helper and when she did, it is only two days per week.
An elderly woman from the same community told Guyana Times that she was grateful for the hamper, since she and her husband were robbed of all their money few weeks ago.
“Is me and me husband living. Both of us is pensioners and things hard. Two weeks back, they break in our house and carry away all our money. So, I am very thankful for this hamper,” she expressed.
Rayon De Haart, another resident, was very happy for the visit. “I feel really glad for this hamper, because right now me and my family punishing a lot. We lost a lot of things in the flooding, so thank God the Government come today and meet with us and share a little grocery with us, so we can rally out for a couple weeks,” he expressed.
The hamper drive is being conducted in all regions across the country.
