Philanthropists spending US$60,000 on Guyanese youths

They stand about six feet tall, and would appear to the naked eye as two ordinary people. But for Guyanese twins, Patrick and Paul Haynes, “ordinary” is no match for the good things they have done and have pledged to continue doing for the country of their birth. They founded the Haynes Foundation, which is a New Jersey non-profit organization that is currently pumping some US$60,000 annually into Guyana in the areas of health, education, and sports.

Through funding from Nickelodeon, Little Hands Family Service and WAWA in the United States, the duo are equipped to assist the youths in Guyana. Last November, the foundation’s board of directors approved a scholarship award programme at the University of Guyana, which debuts this year. A full scholarship will be awarded to any student who has an excellent academic record but faces financial constraints to achieve a university education and wishes to pursue studies in Natural Sciences or Engineering.

Paul Haynes told this publication his foundation is about giving “a hand up”, not giving “handouts”.

 “My philosophy is to help a less fortunate child achieve higher education, who can then help his family come out of poverty” he stated.

Haynes Foundation also supports the GuySuCo Port Mourant Training Centre in the area of computer technology. This has been happening since 2007.

Last May, the foundation adopted the Ruimveldt Children’s Home following an intense research on orphanages in Guyana that need assistance which they could afford to give. What is unique about this home is that all the children are directly affected by HIV; either they lost a parent to the virus, or are living with HIV, which is what Paul Haynes said, for them, triggered an interest.

In the meantime, the non-profit organization will continue its involvement in the distribution of condoms to the ministries of Health and Education as a method to minimize the spread of HIV/AIDS among youths in Guyana. It also provides reading materials to raise awareness about the disease, while addressing the stigma that is attached to those who are infected.

“We are also known in Guyana as Mr. Basketball”, they told Guyana Times International, since they fund more than 90 per cent of all basketball events, and are directly involved in managing, assembling and training the Guyana National Basketball Team.

“We manage and assemble potential players for the Guyana National Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams. Once the talent is assembled, former national coaches Bernard Daniels of New York and Larry Davis of South Carolina are brought in to train and prepare the players for national duty. HF facilitates the preparation process by financing the gym rentals, uniforms, airfare and accommodation, and registration; and later manages the team at the international competitions,” Paul Haynes said.

The foundation is trying to get scholarships for players from Guyana to be part of programmes in the United States.

In 2009, the Haynes Foundation became the official distributor in Guyana for Soul for Soul – a sponsor which provides footwear to various charities and foundations around the world.

When asked why the two opted to support the youths in Guyana through their foundation, Patrick Haynes noted: “I see this as a calling. We have been blessed with the opportunity and people around us…so it’s our calling to give back. We wear the word “philanthropy” on our backs as we try to help as many people as possible.”