Honoring Pandit Suresh Sugrim

The Guyana Tri-State Alliance, in collaboration with The Consulate General of the Republic of Guyana, New York and the Permanent Mission of Guyana to the United Nations, celebrated Guyana’s 45th Independence anniversary on Wednesday, June 22 with a special evening and appreciation ceremony.
The event, dubbed “A Taste of Guyana”, was held at Brooklyn Borough Hall, Joralemon Street, Brooklyn, New York. 11201. USA.

Among the recipients of the special honor were community philanthropist Rick Chetram; humanitarian Vibert Bernard; actress and advocate for preservation of Guyanese culture Rose October-Edun; Patrick and Paul Haynes of the Haynes Foundation in Guyana; Ms. Taruna Sardoo — advocate for educating women and children in Guyana and around the globe; Pandit Suresh Sugrim, President of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission and champion for the poor and less fortunate of Guyana; Dr. John Mitchell of Health and Education Relief for Guyana (HERG), advocate for family health and prevention of infant mortality; Ngozi Moses, photojournalist of The Washington Post; Nikki Kahn, and Mohamed A Hassim, who have been noted as key figures in keeping the diaspora connected.

Pandit Sugrim was born in Corriverton, Guyana and migrated to the USA in 1980. He settled in Bloomfield, New Jersey and found the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission in 2005. The mission’s current initiatives are:-

• Assistance to less fortunate children in and out of orphanage care
  
• Empowerment to low income working families and single mothers to acquire their own homes
  
• Medical care (such as surgery outside of Guyana)
  
• Food Vouchers for seniors, battered women and underprivileged children
  
• Education Fund for children living in dire poverty
  
• Benevolent Home Building Project for seniors, abused and battered women, men, and orphans
  
• Helping victims of domestic violence, rape, abuse

During his acceptance speech, Pandit Sugrim applauded the diaspora’s generosity in reaching out and giving freely through various charity events and contributions. He reiterated that without the community’s earnest participation the mission’s initiatives would not be achieved. “I am just the facilitator. This honor is yours,” he said.
The special observance was sponsored by the speaker of the event, Christine C.Quinn, Councilman the Honorable Dr Mathieu Eugene, and the Honorable Marty Markowitz, President of the Brooklyn Borough.

CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com

CNN Heroes - Special Reports from CNN.com

It is official, Pandit Suresh Sugrim has been nominated for CNN Heroes 2011 for his work with New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir Humanitarian Mission and the outreach they do for people in Guyana.

Now we hold our breaths as the selection process gets underway. Cheer him on. Congratulations. 

For Sale--12 year old girl in #78 Village. G$50,000.

Man accused of raping 12-year-old girl; proposes $50,000 to settle matter : Kaieteur News

The landlord is covering for his friend and giving this family a choice of accepting the pay off money or move out. Outrageous! I am not naive to know that there are sick, bad people in this world. They exist everywhere, in the States, Canada, Guyana, EVERYWHERE. In most societies there are laws and organizations whose sole purpose is to put a stop to this and protect the children. However, even the most aggressive securities cannot function without participation of a community. Why would anyone protect these monsters? Ever heard of aiding and abiding? When one helps in the committing or cover up of a criminal act they are as guilty as the actual perpetrator.

Why is it so difficult to enforce the written laws in such a small country? Forget the corruption for a minute. In my dealings with people in a public capacity, in Guyana, there seems to be this order of things are black and white. If the situation does not fit into what they were thought or told then there are no other situations. It is a narrow look at public welfare. It does not seem like anyone thinks outside the box nor are willing, capable, or able to do so. It is either this way or that way and no matter what the other way exists they have no interest in looking at it. The blame has always been given to the police or the government.

Is the government or the police living daily in your village? NO. Why are the locals not standing up for themselves? A village does not grow if they cannot live in harmony. There can be no peace, security, nor stability if neighbors refuse to look out for each other. It starts at the grass roots. There are numerous areas all over Guyana where neighbors are like family. They look out for each other and take care of each other. Most of them have grown up together and their fathers and mothers lived the same way. Some have moved in and grown to respect their neighbors. Why is #78 Village not able to protect their children? All it really takes is eyes and ears. These days every little child and adult has a cell phone, not forgetting a home phone. Why can't they call and report suspicious activities? Why can't a neighbor and another neighbor and another neighbor look into something suspicious? Where is the spirit of community policing gone? Why are they so afraid of each other?

Children can't even go to their parents for help. They have to report to the school teachers. What has happened in the home? Children does not trust their parents? Where is the love, trust, and comfort of a home? This seems to be a trend in #78 Village. Parents are inadequate in protecting and raising their children. Although, there are families who live in harmony and love. I have seen families who spend a lot time together and parents who have a vested interest in their children lives. These are isolated but they do exist. Maybe some work shop on parenting skills would assist these families who are failing to protect and raise another generation.

There needs to be more community partnerships and bonding. Neighbors must come together and look out for each other. Skills must be shared with others who are lacking. Children must be protected and cared for. The authorities has to play a leading role to increasing resources to this village but it is the residents' responsibility to govern their village. Someone had to vote for a mayor. Even if the elections were rigged, some had to let the current officer stay in office. Stand up and reclaim your village or lose it all. Some one from the US can not be allowed to come into #78 Village and rape a 12 year old girl and then offer G$50,000 to shut the family up.

Your legacy lives on……

My Facebook inbox blinked 1 message, I checked it, message from my cousin in Guyana my Aunt passed…sigh….here we go again. Did I not just bury an uncle? What the hell is going on?

My aunt is the rock who stabled my uncle through his tumultuous years. During his time of being a “bad man” running around #78 Village with a cutlass drunk off his ass, creating havoc and mischief, she stood by him. She was there for it all. I am sure that there were times when she wanted to leave but she stayed.

When I lived in Guyana, some 21 years ago, I clearly remembered her with 3 little kids in tow, tending to the house and cooking some amazing meals. She always had and offered something to eat. When the big bad man started to get on she would retreat quietly into her house and not come out. Frail and timid but was there for her kids and always with a smile.

During my recent visit, she changed a lot. She was now in charge of her affairs. I am sure that she had the biggest role to play in teaching her big bad husband that life could still be lived in a humble way. She turned him around to being a soft gentle, easy going guy. A man who is not afraid to let his soft side show. This was an amazing turnaround. I am so humbled that she stood by him and worked it through.

Her daughters have grown into beautiful and caring young ladies with families of their own . One has achieved the very noble goal of home ownership with her husband, a Tapir driver, and their kids. She has made a very simple and cozy home. The other, her husband and kids run a grocery store at her “bottom house”. Her entrepreneurial spirit strives for a good life.  Her son is a very strong and dedicated young man. After figuring out that academics was not for him, he went to work in a mechanical work shop. For several years now this very quiet young man is honing his skills in all aspects of the mechanical trade. He works and brings his money to his mother. She showed him how to save his money for a better future.

My dear aunt, you are an inspiration to all of us who walk this path. You never gave up on family and love. You always showed a good face to anyone. You were caring, loving, and shared even when you did not have. Now you are in a place of rest. May your spiritual guider take you with loving arms as your earthly work lives on in your children and grand children. May you rest in Peace.

Could this be the escape and evade route for the 16 year old drug pusher?

  Guyana- Suriname backtrack operations continue daily : Kaieteur News

Entrance next to Reno Nite Spot.

Entrance close to the old Radio City Cinema 

As I took a morning stroll along the #78 Village Public Road, I couldn't help but notice the group of people gathered in front of two seemingly empty storefronts. Curiosity kills the cat or unearths smuggling in high daylight. As I approached the group, few people asked if I wanted to exchange currency or go to Suriname? Ah ha, I got it! This was the entrance to the famous underground, no very open, "back track route". There are several entrances from the public road to the seawall. This makeshift area has seating sheds, a jetty for boats to dock, snackettes, and of course the ever present people who arrange for a boat to transport people or goods or anything one desires. 

Snackette Seating

Snackette

Time out! Isn't this whole "back track thing" illegal? How is it that this place is so well built? It seems like an established well run operation.  Did I say that this entire seawall operation is not more than 100 yards from the Police Station?  Oh yea. Puzzled?. Could this be a very possible escape and evade route for the 16 year old drug pusher? After all, my sources informed me that his family operates one of the snackettes along the seawall. Possible right? 

Why was the new stelling built? This could be a very legal, safe, secure, and profitable operation for the locals. They are doing it anyway, why not legitimize and control the safe transfer of people and goods? This would at least make it harder for any illegal transfer. But what do I know, I am a "foreigner"! 

Jetty

Jetty

#78 Sawmill 

Waiting Shed

She is home, but HE is still out there!

The 14 year old, who was in police protection in Corriverton, Guyana, is home tonight with her family. Her alleged kidnapper and rapist is still out there. The authorities were unable to apprehend this little rascal. How can a 16 year old elude the mighty Guyana Police Force? Who is aiding and abiding this fugitive and why can’t the police find him? Although, the magistrate in Corriverton upheld a warrant for his arrest.

The magistrate also placed the 14 year old in the custody of her uncle a Community Police Officer. He is to report all activities to his superiors on a daily basis until the suspect is in custody. The young lady will still live with her grandmother and father. She is to attend school everyday and complete all assigned tasks. In as much as she is a victim in this situation, the magistrate reiterated that she must include all of her family members in her life so as to create a ring of protection.

Will the little scoundrel come out of hiding to inflict harm on his victim? Will this family be able to give protection? Will the police be able to capture this menace to society? How many more little girls’ innocence must be taken before society puts a stop to this? No one sees, no one hears, no one acts. Where are the morals of a community? Do not blame the government, blame yourselves for letting this happen to your children. Get up, stand up, band together, and create an iron circle to protect the young and innocent so this does not happen ever again to anyone.

We hold our breaths while he is still at large.

We are too busy with administrative functions!

Riding on a bicycle along the #78 Village public road on the second day of my vacation to Guyana I noticed a sign that said “Help Center” where used to be Melrose Bar. Naturally, this sparked my interest. When I lived there, 21 years ago, nothing of this nature existed. This space served as a gathering place for us kids on Sunday after lunch to party and dance the weekend away. 

So I went in to check the place out. I entered a sparse space with partitioned areas and a few people milling around. There were a couple of people in the entrance area, all stunned by my entrance. No one offered a welcome, so I initiated conversation with the closest person and asked to speak to someone in charge. The first question was, “Wa u want?” After indicating that I was visiting from the US and very interested in what “Help” they offered the community, the lady conferred with the other ladies present. Eventually, a younger woman approached me and asked specifically, “What  I wanted to know.” Again, I reiterated that I was interested in what they had to offer here.

She walked around and sat behind a huge desk stacked with papers and told me that they are a non-profit organization that helps people with HIV/AIDS, children of HIV/AIDS parents, sex workers, and children in need. I asked if I could sit, she obliged. I inquired about funding for such a place. She expressed that they get help from private donors, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO), and United States Agency for International Development (USAID). I suggested that I may know a US based organization that may be interested in helping their cause, New Jersey Arya Samaj Humanitarian Mission. The young lady got a little more comfortable, then replied that they are willing to work with anyone who is willing to help. A young man came over my shoulder and got the young lady’s attention, she indicated that she was late for a session. I politely asked if we could continue this conversation some other time. She said, “Come back anytime, we always open.” With that I left.

After being knocked over by the rampant drug use, careless regard for society, kids not interested in going to school and a host of other issues that affect Corriverton I decided to return and continue my inquiry. Upon attempting to walk in the door a middle aged woman approached me and asked, “Wa u want?” I politely smiled and indicated that I would like to continue my conversation with the young lady who was sitting at her desk. The middle aged woman positioned herself in front of the door as if to block my entrance and said, “She busy with paper work, we just finish a meeting with USAID and we very busy with a lot of administrative things.” I asked if I could come back the next day. She said, “We busy, tomorrow.” I asked about the next day. Same answer. So I asked if I could make an appointment, the answer, you guessed it, “We don’t have time, we busy.” The young lady looked at me from her desk helpless, as if say, “Sorry”. I turned and walked out disappointed.

Wait. Did this place have a sign that said “Help Center”? Who were they helping and how? I have more questions now than answers. Why could I not get a straight answer, on what they did? Why would they not speak with me? Why did the young lady sat silently? Why did the middle aged woman block my entry? Where were the people they were helping? And how? If they are helping people with funding from USAID, do we not have a right to know how our money is being used?