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Food For The Poor

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    • Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      Coconut Creek nonprofit stepping up to send aid to Haiti-nbcmiami.com

      MIAMI, FLA. (Mar. 13, 2024) “In response to the escalating violence in Haiti, organizations in South Florida are working to provide aid to families in need. Food for the Poor in Coconut Creek has everything from food and water to medical equipment, ready to go the politically unstable country, but organizers say they are running […]

    • South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      South Florida mobilizes aid amidst escalating violence in Haiti- caribbeannationalweekly.com

      DAVIE, FLA. (Mar. 14, 2024) “As violence continues to grip Haiti, organizations based in South Florida are mobilizing efforts to provide much-needed assistance to affected families. Among them, Coconut Creek’s Food for the Poor stands ready with essential supplies ranging from food and water to medical equipment.” To read the full article, click here.

    • OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      OA raises $1,500 for Honduras Project-news.yahoo.com

      GREENSBURG, IND. (Feb. 19, 2024) “Oldenburg Academy has announced the success of its recent fundraising efforts during Catholic Schools Week. The OA community collected funds to contribute to the construction of 52 single-dwelling homes in the village of Cucuyagua, Honduras… “It is always delightful to witness the spirit of giving within our OA community as we endeavor […]

    • Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      Starr Computers partners with NGOs to enhance education in Berbice-guyanachronicle.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “IN a bid to fortify educational resources in the Berbice community, Starr Computers has made a significant stride by donating Smart Labs to two pivotal institutions:- the Guyana Police Force Academy Berbice Campus and the New Amsterdam Technical Institute. This philanthropic endeavour, in collaboration with Food for the Poor Guyana Inc. […]

    • Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      Food For The Poor, Starr Computers and St Francis Collaborate to Donate IT Labs to Region Six-stabroeknews.com

      GUYANA (Feb. 19, 2024) “Food For The Poor (Guyana) Inc (FFTP) in partnership with Starr Computers and St Francis Community Developers donated two new upgraded Information Technology Labs to Region Six. According to a press release, the labs, located at the New Amsterdam Technical Institute and the Guyana Police Force Training Academy, represent a significant […]

    • Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      Obituary: Father Gary Norman-dcourier.com

      PRESCOTT, AZ (Feb. 7, 2024) “Father Gary Norman, a senior priest of the Diocese of Yakima, who was being treated at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center following an auto accident and subsequent stroke Jan. 22, died on Jan. 31, 2024, at the medical center. …Father Norman was 79 and had been living in Prescott, […]

    • An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      An agreement signed between Taiwan and Food For the Poor Haiti for the donation of 8240 tons of rice-tripfoumi.com

      HAITI (Jan. 27, 2024) “A memorandum of understanding was signed on Friday, January 26, 2024, between Taiwan and Food For The Poor Haiti for the donation of 8,240 tons of rice. Several personalities, including the Taiwanese ambassador, Wen-Jiann KU, the Executive Director of Food for the Poor Haiti, Mario Nicoleau, took part in the signing […]

    • Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      Neida Sandoval celebrates links with Cepudo and Food For The Poor in San Pedro Sula-elpais.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “The renowned Honduran journalist, Neida Sandoval, during her visit to the industrial capital of Honduras, San Pedro Sula, celebrated, together with authorities from the Municipality of Sampedrana, her connection with the Cepudo and Food For The Poor organizations.” To read the full article, click here.

    • Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      Haiti’s Crisis: International Aid and Security Discussions Amid Human Rights and Political Unrest-bnnbreaking.com

      HONG KONG (Jan. 27, 2024) Throughout 2023, the human rights landscape in Haiti has been profoundly marred. According to human rights defender, Gérald Guillaume, a shocking 155 rapes were recorded in the department of Grande Anse, with an overwhelming 139 involving minors. This distressing statistic is a stark reminder of the depth of the crisis […]

    • San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      San Pedro Sula Mayor’s Office Awards Recognition to Journalist Neida Sandoval-tiempo.hn

      HONDURAS (Feb. 2, 2024) “Neida told Diario Tiempo that she was very happy with the reception she received from the San Pedro Sula mayor’s office. …in addition, she assured that she accepts the commitment to be an ambassador for Food For The Poor and CEPUDO.” To read more, click here.

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    • Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      Food For The Poor’s Hope Fest Invites Community to See Charity Up Close on Saturday

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (May 1, 2025) – Food For The Poor (FFTP) is welcoming the South Florida community from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday for Hope Fest, an event with building tours, children’s activities, food trucks, and mission-driven fun. The event will take place at the charity’s Coconut Creek headquarters, 6401 Lyons Road. Admission […]

    • Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      Hurricane Preparedness Week: FFTP Prepositions Critical Relief Supplies Ahead of Hurricane Season

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 28, 2025) – When Hurricane Beryl hit Jamaica as a Category 4 storm last July – bringing a wave of deadly destruction barely a month into hurricane season – Food For The Poor (FFTP) and its partners were ready. Weeks before the season began, FFTP had hundreds of disaster preparedness kits […]

    • Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      Hope Fest on May 3 Kicks Off Week of Compassion Ahead of Food For The Poor Day

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 22, 2025) – For many children in Honduras, the chance to run, learn, and dream without pain is out of reach. This year, Food For The Poor (FFTP) is taking bold steps to change that. With the theme “Health Fuels Dreams,” FFTP is launching a special campaign for Food For The […]

    • Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      Food For The Poor Restores Dignity and Freedom Through Prison Ministry Program

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 17, 2025) – This Holy Week, 53 prisoners walked out of prison as living testaments to compassion, mercy, and the power of second chances, thanks to Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) Prison Ministry Program. With support from generous donors, the charity paid the fines of nonviolent offenders in Haiti and Guyana, […]

    • Honduras Bridge Dedicated in Honor of CEPUDO’s Linda Coello

      Honduras Bridge Dedicated in Honor of CEPUDO’s Linda Coello

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (April 2, 2025) – In a tribute to her decades of service to the people of Honduras, Linda Coello, Founder and President of CEPUDO and a member of Food For The Poor’s (FFTP) Board of Directors, was honored with the dedication of the Linda Coello Bridge on Friday in San Pedro Sula. […]

    • World Water Day: FFTP Donors Send Huge Wave of Support for Vulnerable Families

      World Water Day: FFTP Donors Send Huge Wave of Support for Vulnerable Families

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 27, 2025) – Maria, a 32-year-old community leader in a sustainable community development in El Tablón, Guatemala, is one of the fortunate ones. Her community has access to clean water and now, thanks to generous Food For The Poor (FFTP) donors, more vulnerable children and families in Latin America and the […]

    • World Water Day: Food For The Poor Brings Hope to Families Facing the Scarcity of Water

      World Water Day: Food For The Poor Brings Hope to Families Facing the Scarcity of Water

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 18, 2025) – For 24-year-old Ximora, living in La Hierbabuena, Guatemala, the simple act of getting water is an exhausting, daily battle. Every day, she embarks on a grueling 97-minute trek on foot with her father, navigating steep hillsides, dense brush, and barbed-wire fences just to collect enough water for her […]

    • International School Meals Day: School Feeding Programs Offer a Lifeline to Vulnerable Children

      International School Meals Day: School Feeding Programs Offer a Lifeline to Vulnerable Children

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 13, 2025) – For Jenny and other parents whose children attend Our Lady of Victory school in Balan, Haiti, the school feeding program brings a level of comfort that their children will have at least one healthy meal each day. “Sometimes, due to financial difficulties, we consider not sending our children […]

    • Women Lead the Way: Stories of Strength and Hope on International Women’s Day

      Women Lead the Way: Stories of Strength and Hope on International Women’s Day

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 7, 2025) – For Silvia in Guatemala, progress means seeing young women in her community break barriers that once seemed impossible. In Honduras, Lorenza remembers when opportunities for women like her felt out of reach. Today, thanks to support from Food For The Poor (FFTP) donors and programs, she’s not only […]

    • FFTP Celebrates International Women’s Day by Investing in the Future of Women and Girls

      FFTP Celebrates International Women’s Day by Investing in the Future of Women and Girls

      COCONUT CREEK, Fla. (March 3, 2025) – In honor of International Women’s Day, Food For The Poor (FFTP) is celebrating the power of investing in women and girls with the theme “Invest in Girls Today to Empower the Women of Tomorrow.” Through sustainable programs that provide education, job training, and health care, FFTP is committed […]

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    • Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Be Prepared: 5 Principles That Drive Emergency Response Efforts

      Emergencies can upend lives in an instant, especially for families already struggling with poverty. Natural disasters, conflict, and health and humanitarian crises can erase livelihoods, destroy homes, and push communities deeper into despair. When crisis strikes, emergency response can mean the difference between survival and devastation. Having the right plans and resources in place can […]

    • Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Health Care Access in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Lifeline for Families in Poverty

      Why Health Care Access for Families in Poverty Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean Families living in poverty urgently need health care access in Latin America and the Caribbean. When individuals are struggling in poverty, gaining access to health care is nearly impossible. Parents face so many challenges to find basic medical treatment for […]

    • Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Water and Sanitation: A Lifeline for Health and Sustainability

      Clean water and proper sanitation are more than just essential resources. They are powerful forces for change, creating the foundation of public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability. Yet, millions of people still lack access to safe drinking water and adequate sanitation. This crisis only fuels the spread of diseases, hinders education, and deepens poverty. […]

    • Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      Cultivating Hope: Empowering Women Through Training and Economic Opportunities in Latin America and the Caribbean

      How Food For The Poor Transforms Lives by Equipping Women With the Tools for Sustainable Success In the heart of Latin America and the Caribbean, the challenges of poverty often fall heaviest on women. Yet, when equipped with the right tools and opportunities, women can become powerful agents of change in their communities. Food For […]

    • 4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      4 Essential Ways Capacity Building Drives Community Development

      According to The United Nations, community development is defined as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.” It’s a means of bringing people together to identify challenges and create solutions that drive lasting change. [1] But true transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It is cultivated by empowering […]

    • Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Share Your Blessings: Provide Hope This December

      Year-End Giving: Transform Lives, Spread Hope December is a time of reflection, gratitude, and giving. It’s a season that invites us to open our hearts and extend love to others. In this blog, you will: • Discover the power of year-end giving and the impact it has on children, families, and communities across Latin America […]

    • Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      Three Ways Unity Through Giving Empowers Positive Change

      In a world filled with division, unity through giving emerges as a powerful force for positive change. When we share our time, talent, and resources, we forge connections that transform lives. Giving isn’t just about charity, it’s a catalyst for shared strength. It is generosity in action. The very act of giving is an act […]

    • Empowering Latin America and the Caribbean: Building Lasting Food Security

      Empowering Latin America and the Caribbean: Building Lasting Food Security

      Tackling Malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean Lack of access to nutritious food affects food securityOne of the biggest contributors to malnutrition in Latin America and the Caribbean is inadequate access to healthy foods. This lack of access leaves many without the necessary support or training to maintain a nutritious diet. “Food security is […]

    • Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP Honors Team Members

      Hispanic Heritage Month: FFTP Honors Team Members

      This National Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, Food For The Poor is excited to highlight our Hispanic team members who are dedicated to our mission of supporting those in need throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Childhood Experiences Set the Stage for Maria Fernanda Rios’ Work at Food For The Poor As […]

    • 3 Projects Shaping the Future Through Generational Change

      3 Projects Shaping the Future Through Generational Change

      Food For The Poor celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month by honoring the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions that define the vibrant communities in the countries where we serve. It is a powerful reminder of the resilience of heritage and the potential to shape the future through generational change. Driving Generational Change One of the most compelling […]

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Guyana adventure

November 22, 2021May 10, 2023 FFTP Digital

It is quite an adventure just traveling to Guyana. First, we boarded a flight from Miami to Trinidad, having a layover in “Trini” of about seven hours.  A late-night flight from there brought us to Georgetown, the capital of Guyana – a little after 11:00 PM.  Then, after an hour’s drive from the airport, we finally arrived at our hotel accommodations.

Our layover in Trinidad was used to good end as we visited our friends and partners at “Living Water Community.” We work closely with this organization in Trinidad to distribute goods we send for the poor of this country and also to oversee any projects that we may realize there. My old friend, Rhonda Maingot, is the leader of this organization. After a tour of the warehouse with Bronia, Rhonda took our group (Mike Anton, Projects Director, Susan James, Country Manager for Jamaica/Guyana/Trinidad and me) to dinner and some lively conversation. Another old friend, Lailas, joined us at the restaurant and afterwards, with Rhonda, they dropped us off at the airport outside of Port of Spain.

After arriving in Georgetown, checking in and getting organized at the Pegasus Hotel, I realized that we would be going to bed at 1:30 AM and getting up only 3 hours later for a 6:00 AM departure – with a beautiful but strenuous day ahead. Amazingly, we were punctual in leaving the hotel where we met with our generous donor, Joe Roetheli, who was there with two friends, J.G. and Russell, all the way from Kansas, Missouri.  This was a very special trip for the purpose of inaugurating Joe’s third village built in Guyana, which is located in the Amerindian region called Mainstay/Whyaka.

In order to reach this area, it was necessary to take a fairly long ride by bus and then cross the bridge to traverse the Demerara River. Later, we arrived at a dock on the east bank of the voluminous Essequibo River, close to where it flows out to sea. We then boarded a boat and headed west across the river to the other bank – approximately a 25 minute ride.

By car, we then drove to the NOC, a remand center for boys and girls who have exhibited delinquent behaviors, ranging from 12 to 18 years of age.  We had breakfast there and planned to return the next day, as I had been invited to give a motivational talk to the young people residing there.

After a rather long drive, we finally entered the Lil’ Red Village area with 65 brand-new, freshly painted homes on stilts, with bright red roofs, a community center, water project and community grocery store. The Guyanese staff had done a wonderful job organizing a truly memorable inauguration ceremony, attended by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, and the “Toshao” (chief) of that group, a very eloquent, dedicated woman who has represented the Amerindian community both nationally and at the UN.  The leadership of FFP (Guyana) was well represented by both the Chairman of the Board (Paul Chan-A-Sue) and the Executive Director (Leon Davis). A very talented, local steel-drum band and many cultural acts (dances and songs)added much to the proceedings. Cricket matches, food, drink and dancing all made the afternoon very festive and enjoyable. There were many speakers, including yours truly, and we all expressed gratitude to our big-hearted donors, Joe and Judy Roetheli, whose generosity and love of the poor made the entire event possible.

Fr. Javier, a missionary priest from Argentina, began the formal part of the ceremony by invoking God’s blessings on all present, but particularly on this new community. Two Evangelical pastors wrapped up the event with prayers of praise and thanksgiving.

At 3:00 PM, the weight of sleeplessness, excessive heat and the activities of this long day took quite a toll on everyone. Our small group took a fairly challenging walk to our nearby accommodations.  I then gave in to the exhaustion and took a three-hour nap under my mosquito net – a totally uncharacteristic action on my part. Getting old…

After dinner that evening, I returned to my room to write my journal for the day, determined not to allow myself to fall behind. The local TV (with one channel available) started out with US music videos and ended up with Bollywood-style East Indian music videos. By nearly 11:00 PM, I was watching Cricket as I wrote my journal. I am sorry to say that, despite the fanatical affection for this sport in the British Commonwealth, I find it just as boring as I did while growing up in Jamaica. Tomorrow would be another challenging day – I crawled under my mosquito net to get some zzzzzzs!

Seven hours of sleep! I felt great. Against the advice of my elders, I brushed my teeth with tap water, and prepared for a cold shower. In the middle of my shower, I noticed that the water became completely orange.  I hurried to get off the soap and shampoo and scrubbed hard with the two white towels, observing them slowly become orange. Probably my imagination, but I felt that I had an orange glow about me – free tanning! (Hope it’s not radioactive…)

We headed out again to the Pomeroon River to take a 20-minute boat ride to the area of Siriki to visit the second village previously built by the Roetheli’s, which they named “New Haven.” A curious part of this journey is that we could travel there only during high tide. The canal that leads us there (as a tributary to the river) is much too shallow for our boat during low tide. The waters begin to subside in the early afternoon, so we had to be certain to accomplish everything we needed to do in less than three hours. Otherwise, we would have to remain there for the entire night.

The rains would not ease and time was of the essence. We decided to brave the elements and proceed. However, we lost three members of our group at this time who decided that dry was more comfortable than wet! We boarded the boat wearing our rain ponchos. The Pomeroon River is not anywhere near the size of the Essequibo River, but the banks are beautifully green and lush. The boat picked up speed and raindrops pelted our faces. Suddenly, we turned off into a narrow canal and I realized that this is where the problem lies regarding low tide. It was like going from a river into a rain forest in just a few seconds. It was breathtakingly beautiful, with the present rain adding to the splendor of the moment – I felt bad for those who stayed behind as they missed a magical experience.

The boat docked on the side of the canal, dropping us off as far inland as it could go, leaving us to walk a few hundred feet to “New Haven.” As we cleared some bushes, the community appeared. Eighty-five colorful houses, raised on stilts. From a distance, they looked more like vacation chalets than homes for the very poor. The members of the community were very warm and welcoming. They thanked us and asked us to introduce ourselves, which we did. The children presented us with a special welcome and the adults gave us beautiful hand-made gifts of crafts. I got a great covered basket, very neatly weaved from the fronds of a special palm tree. It has five or six colors and it looks like a tortilla warmer (or in this case a “roti” warmer).

We took a walk around the village, speaking with many of the residents, some of whom invited us into their homes that were impeccably kept. We watched a bit of a cricket match, took a tour of their library and clinic, and then they invited us to share a snack with them in the community center. By this time the rain had stopped and the sun was dropping fire upon us.

We said goodbye to all and hurried to the boat – before the beginning of low tide. The ride back in the sunshine offered us another stunning view of nature, albeit different than the one we enjoyed on the way there. We travelled back to the NOC for lunch and my talk with the young people there – looking forward to it.

We arrived at the NOC late and I was forced to rush through a delicious lunch of local cuisine.  I didn’t want to sacrifice any of my time with the young people that I would be addressing. I was led to a large hall where the young people were waiting for me. The assistant director of the center introduced me and he reminded them, as if to assure their good behavior, that FFP was their organization’s best friend.

My message, elaborated with many examples from my own life and the lives of my past students, was simple: God loves us all perfectly. There is nothing we can do, good or bad, that can make Him love us more or less. When we do good things we place ourselves closer to God, and when we do bad things, He is still there, but we distance ourselves from Him. I also shared my view that there is nothing that we can do that God is not capable of forgiving. His mercy is stronger than His justice. I explained that we are all His children and that God is only capable of creating good. At times, however, circumstances lead good people to do bad things. I told them that God being all-knowing made it easier for Him to be much more forgiving than man, who cannot know all the motivations and circumstances behind certain actions. I clarified that this did not take away the responsibility for their actions, but it helped them to understand why God’s mercy is perfect and eternal. I closed with the thought that they are not alone in the world with the wrong they have done. None of us are perfect and we all do things that distance us from God. So, although some have the right to make us responsible for our actions, none have the right to “cast the first stone.” I hoped that they found some comfort and hope in these words.

Then it was the long journey into night – crossing two rivers and arriving in the capital near nightfall. The days seem to go so quickly and there’s so much to do, but as Scarlet O’Hara said in GWTW, “Tomorrow is another day.”

Déjà vu… the hot water from the shower is coming out orange, this time at one of the best hotels in G/town. The cold water is clear… ah, so refreshing!

For breakfast, a delicious omelet, and then we are off to visit the Georgetown Penitentiary. This is a facility built for 600 inmates and, at present, it’s housing 1,100 prisoners. We were introduced to the prison officials and the Corporal, who is the Deputy Director, invited us to his office to thank us for all the help afforded to the institution by FFP.

The Prison Chaplain, a woman who just last week lost her own mother, joined him. She had lived in Florida for 20 years, where she worked in the aviation industry. Many years ago, she had a dream where she saw prisoners shackled and she was ministering to them. She decided to study theology at Barry University and also volunteered with prison ministries in the US. After becoming a minister, she felt led to return to work in her native country of Guyana.  She was offered a job at G/town Penitentiary and when she visited she accepted the position immediately. She actually cried for a period of three months, because the faces she saw at the prison were those that she had seen in her dream 17 years before. She knew that this was exactly where God wanted her to be. She’s doing a great job there of ministry and rehabilitation with very few resources at her disposal.

The Deputy Director turned out to be quite a visionary, as his emphasis was consistently on rehabilitation rather than punishment (not altogether common in some of the third world countries we serve). He focused on prisoners being returned to the larger society being better prepared to handle life than when they entered the prison.

The Deputy Director then led us through quite an extensive tour of the facilities. As we started, he told us that some years back five prisoners had escaped. During that effort, they had stabbed one of the officers to death and left another paralyzed and to live his life as a vegetable to this day. I could see the influence of the new philosophy in the prison, as it was obvious that the general population was not unhappy or hostile. The inmates responded kindly to greetings and were all polite, if not downright pleasant, to the group of visitors. Those who were working, some under the most horrible conditions, were friendly and apparently enjoying the tasks at hand.

Our first visit was to the kitchen. It was truly hell. The heat was unbearable.  The roof was black from smoke stains, which made the dimly lit room very dismal. There were six very large pots cooking over a wooden fire. The smoke was everywhere – no exhaust, no fresh air. Joe offered to provide them with a commercial exhaust fan. Some of us were really feeling affected by the smoke after being there for only a few minutes.

We were taken by the area for young offenders (17+). It was so pitiful to see 80 of these young men aimlessly walking around the area where they were kept separate from the general population. The Deputy Director asked if it would be possible to get them all  the same T-shirts and basketball shorts, which would identify them easily as young offenders and this would give them a self-esteem boost to have something age appropriate to  wear that they might actually like other than uniforms.

They also took us to the old print shop, where they had three obsolete printing presses that looked more than 50 years old, for which they no longer make parts. They expressed the desire to re-open the shop with newer machines, as the government would give them jobs to do with an opportunity to provide income for the prison and also give the inmates the feeling of pride of earning a stipend for working there. We then visited their appliance repair workshop, where they had fixed some televisions and were happily watching the World Cup. They would like to expand this area in the future to include welding. The tailoring/sewing room was very productive, as they were making uniforms for the guards and for the inmates. However, they only had a couple of machines.

We visited their library, their infirmary and their chapel. All were in need of help. FFP (GUY) was going to give them some new books and furniture for the library and some new mattresses much needed in the infirmary/clinic. The reverend had done a great job of adding a woman’s touch to the chapel, by bringing plants from home to decorate the area.

For me, the most impressive visit was the one to the woodshop. Not only was it in good stead, well kept, with a fair amount of raw materials for work, but also that is where I met the most impressive young man in the prison. He was the teacher for those who wanted to learn the skill of wood-working and cabinet making. His name was Lloyd and, as his family had been cabinetmakers, he had started working with wood when he was 8 years old. He was a pleasant, positive, philosophical young man who looked to be in his early twenties. As it happened he was 33.

I asked him how long he had been an inmate and he told me he had been there for 16 years. I wondered how much longer before he completed his sentence. Apparently reading my mind, he said that he would be released in two years (2012). I was embarrassed to ask him why he was there, so I didn’t, but there was absolutely no bitterness or resentment in his voice or attitude. Quite the opposite, he told me how much more he has learned about woodwork while in prison and how he is now ready to work in the outside world. I said that he would have a few years on which to catch up after his release.  He replied, “I don’t want to catch up, I just want to move forward.” Very wise…

At the end of our visit, we were invited to the very modest officers’ club across the street from the prison, where the officials once again pleaded with us for help. I told them the priorities in my mind were the kitchen situation and the printing room, as that would create income for the prison and the inmates. Personally, I would love to see how I could get some help from my family and friends to get the uniforms for the young offenders. I told them that there were no promises made, that everything depended on our donors and that their patience would be needed while we try to help. They understood and thanked us repeatedly for our visit and our interest.

We didn’t realize how long we had spent at G/town Penitentiary, and we rushed to visit one of our supported orphanages in the capital. We only were able to visit there for a short time and then moved on to the offices of FFP (GUY).

At our offices, they had prepared a delicious meal, which we enjoyed heartily. After the late lunch, the entire staff was assembled in the large boardroom and I had an opportunity to address them. I spoke about the solidarity between the four FFP offices (USA, Jamaica, Haiti and Guyana) and how we were all necessary for the success of the other. I spoke about our triple mission – to the poor, to our donors and to our staff – and how important it was for us to work together, to love one another and to take ownership of our work, no matter what it is we do in the office.

The next morning, we headed back to the United States.  It was a great four days. I’ll miss some of the members of our Guyana staff that we have gotten to know better on this trip. I hope to be back soon.

Good-bye, beautiful Guyana!


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