August 30, 2020,
The President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency, Dr. Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali, partnered with civil society groups and the business community to donate more than 150 relief hampers to residents of Tiger Bay in Central Georgetown.
The hampers contained essential household items that were donated by the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana (CIOG), the Muslim Youth Organisation (MYO), Mohamed’s Enterprise, and People’s Beauty Products, among other businesses.
During the outreach, President Ali noted that the Government of Guyana has a responsibility to ensure that it offers support to the most vulnerable segments of society.
Image: OP
” data-medium-file=”https://i2.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04655.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04655.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1″ data-original-width=”750″ data-original-height=”500″ data-lazy-loaded=”1″ /> President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Moahmed Irfaan Ali and First Lady Arya Ali present a resident of Tiger Bay with a hamper.
He explained that those who contributed to this initiative did so to send a strong signal of their love for the community and the Guyanese people.
“This is the kind of love we want for our community. We need to be our brothers and sisters’ keeper,” the Head of State said, adding that all Guyanese are united under a common purpose for a better Guyana.
Image: OP
” data-medium-file=”https://i1.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04760.jpg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i1.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04760.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1″ data-original-width=”592″ data-original-height=”395″ data-lazy-loaded=”1″ /> President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Dr. Moahmed Irfaan Ali engaging residents of Tiger Bay
Noting that the government has a responsibility to reach out to every single community in Guyana, the President revealed that today’s donation was the first of a series of outreaches which will be conducted across the country.
He explained that the role of the government extends beyond policy work, and therefore citizens must be able to engage with government officials.
“When you see and interact with people, it gives you a more sincere understanding. We don’t want a gap between the people and the government,” the President said to the residents who welcomed this initiative.
Image: OP
” data-medium-file=”https://i2.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04755.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/dpi.gov.gy/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/DSC04755.jpg?fit=427%2C640&ssl=1″ data-original-width=”530″ data-original-height=”794″ data-lazy-loaded=”1″ /> First Lady Arya Ali interacts with one of the children in the community of Tiger Bay
Tiger Bay is considered as one of the most vulnerable communities in Georgetown, and its social and economic problems have been made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cognisant of this, President Ali announced that his government will aggressively explore and pursue opportunities which seek to elevate the standard of living of residents in that and other vulnerable community across Guyana.
He disclosed that the housing needs of these residents will be made a priority, alongside the creation of employment opportunities.
The Head of State also announced the intended establishment of a Youth Advisory Council which will work with at-risk youths to be an instrument of change.
“We want to give every young person the best opportunity in every area of their life. We want every young person to have their own job and own their own home,” he stated.
According to President Ali, the solutions which will be provided to address the needs of vulnerable communities, and at-risk groups, will be sustainable, and in the interest of all Guyanese.
Meanwhile, First Lady Arya Ali, also used the opportunity to engage some of the residents of the community, outlining her plans to support youths and women.
Mrs. Ali explained that over the next five years, her office will work towards providing social and economic support for women and other vulnerable groups across the country.
One of the intended initiatives will facilitate the establishment of micro and small-scale women-led businesses by having lending agencies and other financial institutions provide startup capital to entrepreneurs.
Additionally, she will be working with the Ministry of Education and some of the country’s post-secondary institutions to increase enrollment of women and youths who are desirous of learning a skill or trade but were never given the opportunity to pursue the same.
The residents of Tiger Bay welcomed the outreach by the President and the First Lady.
