Sharing is their family motto

The Damon family, explains why giving makes a difference

BY: Indrawattie Natram

If one should mention the name “Damon”, memories would immediately recollect a popular Dartmouth family that migrated to the United States some thirty-six years ago. 

Over the years since, the family has collectively linked themselves to several non-profit charitable organizations that aim primarily to give a helping hand to the less fortunate, especially in the most remote and depressed communities, both locally and internationally.

The proud family, which recently returned to Guyana to pay their final tributes to their dear mother Elfreda Damon, who passed away recently, welcomed an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.

Fifty-nine-year-old Milton Damon, one of the older siblings, said that over the past twenty-one years since his immediate family migrated to the US amidst challenges and struggles, they have made alliances that signify “giving makes a difference in someone else’s life.”

Forming several charitable organizations both locally and internationally, the elder Damon said that, over the years their contributions, which mainly target children in the most depressed communities, have also reached out to persons in Weikeriebi in the Region One district. 

Of recent, the born and bred Essequibian revealed, they have donated 17 barrels in 2005 and 14 in 2006, stocked with food items, clothing, confectionery, and stationery, which were all distributed in areas such as Weikeriebi in Region One and Dartmouth and the neighbouring village of Westbury on the Essequibo Coast.

Additionally, Milton said, his family has also contributed seven desktop computers to the Santa Rosa Secondary School.

Recognizing the fact that their family is fortunate to have much, Milton said his eldest son, Howard, would put aside all the clothing and stationery that he didn’t need, and would place them in boxes and ship them to Guyana. 

He said his son would post the boxes to his uncle in Dartmouth: Cornel Damon, who would subsequently distribute them to the less fortunate children of the area.

Another sibling, Ronda Onwuka-Damon, disclosed that the family, which consists of 12 brothers and sisters, had formed a foundation in the United States almost sixteen years ago. 

The teacher by profession, said the foundation goes by the name “Damon Donation Centre”, and noted that it is very active in the United States and continues to help the less fortunate in Guyana.

Coming back home after seven years, Ronda, who is married to a Nigerian, said she was pleased with all the development she has seen in Region Two. 

She said that she strongly believes that education is imperative, especially in today’s world where efforts are being made so that every child could have an education. 

She also said that the Damon Donation Centre has made donations internationally in the form of scholarships to many children. 

“It pains [you] every time you look around and see a child has to leave school because of varied circumstances that they are confronted with,” she lamented.

Chrisila, another sibling who spoke with the Sunday Times Magazine, said she feels a sense of pride to give back at least something to the unfortunate. 

The social worker was consumed with emotion as she reminisced about her younger years growing up in Dartmouth. She said growing up in the very depressed community was a challenge. 

She recalled her father Rudolph, who worked tirelessly and was the sole breadwinner of the family. She said her father, who was a man of strength, used to get up early in the mornings and venture into the backdam to provide for his large family. 

She said her mom Elfreda was a housewife who took care of them, ensuring that they were properly provided with an education, despite their difficult circumstances. 

She remembered some days when her mother hadn’t anything to cook, and some days when she may have, but it would be so little that she would try to stretch it so that everybody would have something to eat. 

Those days, she said that she recollects have not been erased from her memory, and, because of memories of those times, they are motivated to be involved in helping others and continuing what they are presently doing. 

“It’s not easy growing up poor, especially in a large family, but God bless our mother, she knew how to make much out of what little there was,” Chrisila said gratefully. 

Eulin, another sister, shared her happiness with being back home after seven long years, and told Sunday Times Magazine that her mission is to acquire a plot of land, with the intention of constructing a centre for the disabled at Dartmouth, which she plans to call “Angel’s Paradise”. 

She also noted that she has packed some 16 boxes with books to facilitate a library in Dartmouth. 

However, the Damon Donation Centre, which is a registered US non-profit charitable organization, continues to experience challenges especially in the area of taxes. 

One prevailing challenge the organization encounters is the non-waiving of taxes whenever they post either barrels or boxes to Guyana. 

Despite this, Ronda, Milton and Eulin, who said their hearts are still in Guyana, and who have noticed tremendous transformation in the economy, voiced their considerations of returning home to invest and add to the continuous development of Guyana and its economy. 

The other Damon siblings include Venetta, Joycelyn, Irma, Christine, Rudolph, and Roda. One other sibling, Michael, is deceased. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)