The soup kitchens must be spread across Guyana

Dear Editor,

Guyanese from all walks of life, especially the less fortunate amongst us, have been greeted with the news, on Thursday, March17th, that a soup kitchen is to be established by the Guyana government and the makers of Bakewell bread. This gesture must be applauded, since it represents a classic example of government/private sector cooperation in the interest of the people of this country.

The people at large should know that ventures like this soup kitchen know no boundaries, race, religion, or political allegiance. These are the types of undertakings that bring out the heart and compassion in people, whose only aim and aspiration is to serve humanity, and humanity they will serve when the soup kitchen opens its doors in August this year in Georgetown. This will indeed be a Red Letter Day for all Guyanese.

The idea of soup kitchens was coined in the United States of America way back during the Great Depression which started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 40s. And it was indeed when the depression began to bite and be felt most that the soup kitchens were started up there. The need for the soup kitchens was felt more than ever when the tailspin in the American economy worsened in 1932. Reports say that during that time, some 12 million Americans— about 25 per cent of the normal labour force — were unemployed.

The Great Depression was not felt in the United States alone, but it was indeed a worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War Two. It was in fact the longest and most widespread depression of the 20th century. Those were undeniably harsh times which were punctuated by cruel winters. In Guyana, we do battle only with the sun and rain. Imagine living through those dreary winters without food sometimes. Certainly those conditions impacted negatively on a people who had already been stretched to the limit.

A soup kitchen to cater for the hungry in our society is certainly a novel idea, which will see the provision of meals for about 2,500 persons per day. This, of course, will be a monumental task, but with the resources at our disposal, the task of providing for 2,500 people will not be insurmountable for our people when it comes to serving humanity.

We are not experiencing any depression in Guyana, but there are quite a few people on the streets and elsewhere who, for one reason or another, do not consume a square meal when the day comes, and any assistance in whatever form is a magnificent effort in our overall desire to serve humanity.

For us, Bakewell deserves great accolades to partner with the government to discharge this kind of service to humanity. I feel that the government should not stop with the soup kitchen in Georgetown; The people believe that this courtesy should be extended to other parts of the country, because there are people in certain communities who would welcome such facilities.

I believe that there are a lot of kind-hearted and interested individuals and organizations, including religious, social and business organizations, who would readily partner with the government in opening these soup kitchens, first in communities where the service is most needed, and later on, in a more structured manner throughout the country.

I also believe that such a programme will be of tremendous help to certain school children, who would at least be guaranteed of getting a good meal every day.

It is important for us to understand that, at some time in their lives, the people who would be benefiting from the soup kitchen have contributed to the building of this nation in one way or the other, and your contribution now in realizing more soup kitchens is only a small way of paying back those people on whose shoulders we are riding today.

I would like to congratulate Bakewell for the tenacity and goodwill it has demonstrated in joining with the government to establish the soup kitchen in Georgetown. This enterprise is expected to open its doors to the public in August this year. We strive in partnership, and in partnership we shall succeed!

Sincerely,

M H Khan