Taking care of those who are less fortunate

Dear Editor,
In Budget 2024, the Finance Minister announced the construction of a facility to house the elderly. It is something I would call an “Elderly Care Unit.” This is a commendable development, and is another demonstration of Government’s care and concern for its senior citizens.
The elderly are the foundation pillars in any society. They have served our country well, and now, in their twilight years, ought to be granted the privilege of enjoying a comfortable abode. As obtains in the Developed World, elderly care forms an important part of the national calendar, and in this regard, a developing country such as Guyana should not neglect its oldsters.
In light of the above, I would like us to turn our gaze on our homeless people, or those whom we commonly call pavement dwellers. Their numbers are growing every day, and something should be done to address this situation. We cannot just turn away from our less fortunate and pretend they do not exist. Ours is the obligation to take care of them also; to neglect them would put a dark stain on our humanity.
Being human means everyone belonging to the race called “human” has qualities that give them the ability to love and have compassion.
I remember that a home was constructed to house these individuals at Onverwagt, West Coast Berbice, Region 5. Built during the Jagdeo Government, the Hugo Chavez Facility was constructed for the purpose of taking care of those who cannot take care of themselves.
The way that facility was run marks an indictment on the part of the PNC-led Coalition. We learnt that a crackhead was put in control of that home. To put a substance abuser in control of the destitute in society makes a bad situation worse, and certainly shows one big leap backwards into the past. The Hugo Chavez Facility became a tragedy!
This tragedy should not be allowed to continue. We would like the Government to again step in and take control of this home for the destitute, in order to show that we care as we continue on the road towards the development of a modern society that is just and equitable for all.

Regards,
Neil Adams