Govt pledges $5M to Salvation Army drug rehab programme

As the Salvation Army continues to gather funds as part of its efforts to assist those in need — especially at Christmas time — government has pledged continued support to that organisation with a $5M donation towards its drug rehabilitation programme for next year.  

At the occasion of the presentation of annual Christmas hampers, held at the institution’s headquarters on Wednesday, Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said government will continue to lend its support to the organisation, specifically to the drug rehabilitation programme which the institution spearheads. 

In a recent interview, the Salvation Army’s Divisional Commander, Major Sinuos Theodore, said that the army’s major challenge in continuing the program is obtaining funds, but he thanked the Guyana government for assisting the organisation yearly. During the event, the finance minister said that the state will donate $5 million to the drug rehabilitation programme next year. Singh related a brief experience he had at a graduation ceremony held for persons who completed the programme. He said, “Some of the stories I heard were nothing short of miracles”.    

Singh stated that the policies of government are all aimed at bettering the lives of citizens, but he admitted that this may not be clearly understood by the ordinary citizen. Dr Singh said this can be seen through the various commissions set up to deal with the rights of women and children. He added that a $400 million facility is currently under construction to house homeless persons, thereby providing them with “a place of refuge and comfort”. 

The finance minister further called on those gathered to not just look at Christmas as a time to remember the birth of Jesus Christ, but to learn the lessons which can be found in the story of Christmas. He said that sharing, service, sacrifice, equality, and protection of the weak by the strong are among the values that resonate in that story.  

Chairman of the Advisory Committee of the Salvation Army, businessman Eddie Boyer, made reference to the good work being done by that organisation. He indicated that this venture is a result of the organisation’s partnership with the government in an effort to reach out to those in need across the country. 

The divisional commander said that, each year, the Salvation Army’s level of donation increases, as does the amount of persons who go into the institution for assistance. The goal of the Salvation Army, he noted, is to assist the needy in various aspects of their lives; and, as such, the organisation has opened up several avenues for those people. 

The army is presently involved in a feeding programme for school children on weekdays, while on Wednesdays they host a special programme for senior citizens, which includes medical evaluations. While elaborating on the Drug Rehabilitation programme, Major Theodore said that the army’s clients live at the centre located at Water Street, Kingston for about six months, and they are counselled and taught various skills. There is also a Men’s Hostel in Georgetown where low income earners could pay a fee of $10,000 per month and live at the hostel. In addition, the Salvation Army caters for the elderly, and has built a home for the elderly in Wortmanville. 

This Christian institution has many youth and women’s groups in which education and drug prevention, among other social issues, are discussed. Theodore expressed appreciation to the public for their generous contributions to the army’s programmes, and he urged citizens to continue sending their donations, even if they have not received a request from the army. He reiterated that the army’s job is to help, not only at Christmas, but throughout the year. 

The Salvation Army has been operating in Guyana since 1815. And since then, it has been doing social and community oriented work.