THE Nigerian Student Association of Guyana (NiSAG) brought joy to the hearts of the less fortunate children housed at the Ministry of Human Services’ Shelter for Children on Friday when they donated food items and a large quantity of essential personal effects.
The occasion, rife with fun and laughter, was more than just a handing-over ceremony, but ideally turned out to be a much-deserved party for the kids. It was fun galore, and there was an incredible amount of energy resonating from within the walls of the institution.
Items donated included clothing, shoes, handbags, bath towels, pampers, toiletries, beverages, snack foods, and essential food items such as milk and cooking oil, for which the recipients showed great appreciation.
The donors are medical students from the Africa state of Nigeria, who are studying at universities in Guyana, namely the University of Guyana, Texila American University, and the American International University (AIU).
The female medical students brought a large, freshly baked fruit cake which, along with other goodies, was shared among the children; while Student Chaplain Innocent Jarrell rendered an opening prayer.
It turned out that about four of the children had birthdays in the month of March, so the ‘Happy Birthday’ song was lustily sung, and they were in for a treat. The occasion proved to be the perfect demonstration of goodwill, and a huge outpouring of love and appreciation for the children, who have been separated from their families for various reasons.
President of NiSAG, Samuel Obiegbusi, handed over the items to the matron of the children’s shelter, Ms. Lynette Roberts, in the presence of the media, staff of the institution, and the beneficiaries, comprisin girls and boys ranging from three to eighteen years old.
Brief remarks were made by NiSAG President Samuel Obiegbusi and female Vice President Ebrys Okpako, as well as matron of the Centre, Ms. Lynette Roberts. The speakers all had words of encouragement for the children, and wished them well. Obiegbusi urged the children to have aspirations, set themselves goals, and work diligently towards realizing them. He reminded them that they would not remain the way they are, but can rise up and be recognized. “Whatever you do, do it to the best of your ability,” he stressed.
And Innocent Jarrel admonished them to render only good deeds, cautioning them that whatever a person does in life will affect them one way or other. “If you do good, good will follow you,” he asserted.
It was the opportunity of a lifetime for the students to have been surrounded, embraced and counselled by a group of no less than 30 young aspiring doctors, who can be looked upon as role models, particularly in a world where, according to American Cultural Anthropologist Margaret Mead, “Man becomes as he behaves, and he behaves as his social environment conditions him” and “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.”
(By Shirley Thomas)