Aiding the indigenous people of Guyana

Philanthropist Donna Stoll is on a mission, via her charitable group Amerindian Aid in Guyana, to provide aid to the indigenous community.
Speaking with Guyana Times International, Stoll said her efforts are dedicated to helping indigenous Guyanese living in the hinterland areas. Two years ago, when she visited her hometown of Moruca after having migrated to the US some 30 years ago, she felt that not much was being done for the community.
“When I left Moruca, I was a child. When I returned as an adult, I noticed not much was changed. There was a lack of community involvement. Development was somewhat non-existent in the Amerindian community with regard to the preservation of the Amerindian heritage. Secondly, I saw the unemployment and educational needs, and my heart went out to my people. I wanted to do something to make a difference. I formed a group on Facebook in order to connect with the people from Moruca, and another group called ‘Amerindian’. I wanted to be updated on the happenings of my community and to reconnect with my people. The Amerindian group has now grown to 1200 members,” she stated.
Stoll, after finding out the needs of her village, founded her non-profit organization Amerindian Aid in Guyana. It is an effort to provide financial assistance, and getting people involved in efforts to benefit the Amerindian communities. Stoll also mentioned she would love to work collaboratively with government institutions, all in the effort to help her people.
“Our first effort began in 2010. We distributed toys to over 300 children in the village of Moruca. While most children look forward to Christmas, the children in Moruca and other Amerindian villages have nothing coming. No Santa is coming their way, and many can tell you that Christmas is just a day to go to church. I wanted to change that, so we collected and shipped toys to Moruca. Since 2010, others have joined me to bring back Christmas in Moruca. My sister, Jennifer Stoll, joined me in my efforts. This year the toys were distributed to all the school children in the villages of Santa Rosa, Parakese, and Moruca by my mother,” she explained.
In addition to providing toys, Amerindian Aid has helped to rebuild a home for a very poor woman in Moruca. Money was raised and contractor James Campbell, also from Moruca, successfully completed this project with his helpful team.
During the month of July 2012, on Moruca Day, Stoll produced a newsletter for Moruca; ‘Moruca Tides’, which brought in money, which was donated to the village. Stoll hopes with much help she can continue to produce the newsletter so that more money can be raised.
“I want to thank Reuben Stoby for his dedication to seeing the project come to life in Guyana. Also, a few months ago, I sent in a dentist to do some dental work for the people in Moruca. Dr. Poorna Revana, who took his wife, stayed for two days in Moruca, working with the people there providing much needed dental care. Christmas 2012, I sponsored a dinner for the elders in Moruca, which turned out to be a great success. We fed and distributed food packages for over 40 persons. One of my biggest contributors, Mr Beni Sankar, helped to make this effort a success, along with some other members of my social group. The success of the Amerindian Aid project is dependent on people getting involved and making a difference. I’m thankful to Mr Sankar who saw the needs in Moruca and has stepped up to help. Right now, there are farming, planting, and Acoushi ant destruction projects underway. With help from others, this is beginning to take shape. This is my idea of community effort and this is just the beginning,” she said with a sense of fulfilment.
Stoll’s ultimate plan is to establish a school in Moruca. Through it, she aims to provide job training for adults, and teach techniques on how to start and operate a business. With this training, Stoll hopes that villagers can gain independence and be empowered.
“One of the major areas of the school will be preservation of heritage. The Amerindian languages are no longer being spoken and not taught in any schools in the Amerindian villages. I believe that each village should have a museum, where children could go and learn about their indigenous heritage and our art. There is so much that needs to get done for my community and many others. I hope with more assistance I am able to fulfil all my goals in providing for more Amerindian communities,” a hopeful Stoll outlined.
For more information on Stoll’s efforts, visit Amerindian Aid in Guyana on Facebook.