First Lady launches ‘Adopt an Orphanage’ initiative 

The ‘Adopt an Orphanage’ is an initiative which will see individuals and business linking with these homes through the Office of the First Lady. On Tuesday morning, First Lady of Guyana, Arya Ali launched the initiative which aims to bring tangible support to several orphanages.

Those arrangements would be made binding through MOUs which were also done this morning at State House, the official residence of the First Family.

Speaking at the launching this morning, the First Lady said the idea was birthed from a lunch meeting she had with overseas base Guyanese musician Carlos Saint Jhn Phillips during a visit in October of last year.

First Lady Mrs. Arya Ali and Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud pose with donors and representatives of the orphanages at Tuesday’s event (June 29, 2021)

According to First Lady, the discussions between herself and the Grammy Award winning Guyanese were many but what stood out was the interest to ensure that orphanages and are properly taken care of in a manner that allows their continued operations.

“Every child is born with specific needs. Some of those critical needs include, food and shelter, security an education and the knowledge or belief that one is of value to themselves and others,” the First Lady noted.

In a 2 minute video message shared at the launch, the internationally recognized recording artist noted that he visited children’s home, Jousha House and conditions there took him back to the period he lived in a group home in the United States back when he was 15 years old.

Initially, there will be there will be seven companies and two individuals who will be offering support to eight orphanages.

The orphanages identified to be sponsored are Joshua House, Bless the Children Home, Ruimveldt Children’s’ Home, St John Basco Orphanage, Canaan Children’s’ Home, Shaheed Boys & Girls Home, St Ann’s Orphanage, Prabhu Sharan Orphanage.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security Dr. Vindhya Persaud noted that the partnerships are welcomed and will make a difference in the lives of many children.

She said that the homes will be visited frequently by the recently constituted Visiting Committee for the homes to ensure that funds and donations given to homes are used for the purpose intended.