– President Ali at launch of Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Appeal
President Irfaan Ali, on Friday, participated in the Salvation Army’s annual Christmas Kettle Appeal at Duke Lodge, Kingston and hailed the humanitarian efforts of the entity.
“As I grew older and understood more, the level of respect for this organisation grew tremendously. You are much more than a spiritual body; you are much more than a social being too. You are an important link and asset in any society with the work that you have been doing.”
The Head of State was joined by the Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond; National Security Advisor (NSA), Captain Jerry Gouveia and Chairman of the Private Sector Commission, Mr. Nicholas Boyer.
The President said his Government will continue to support the Salvation Army and its programmes while noting that the services need to be decentralised to benefit more communities.
“You have a Government that is ready and willing to partner with you and all other organisations…There is much more that can be done and there is much more support that needs to be given…we are willing to give that support,” the President said.
President Ali also urged all Guyanese to see the merit of giving beyond the Christmas season and pointed to the need for long term solutions.
“As we move forward, I pray that our lives will continue to be blessed, all Guyanese families here and in the diaspora be blessed with goodness and mercy and that our act of kindness will not only be rewarded with the blessings that come with it but it will be rewarded by the transformation of lives, the delivery of hope and the opening up of opportunities,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Tourism Oneidge Waldron recognised the spirit of selfless giving and love which the Salvation Army embodies. She also commended them for their continued service to the less fortunate as well as the benefits of the drug rehabilitation programme.
The Minister called to attention the significance of the Salvation Army’s work, particularly in the midst of the COVID-19 Pandemic while urging businesses to “give generously”.
With the launch, Guyanese will now be greeted with the familiar sight of the red donation bucket. The annual Christmas Appeal helps to meet the needs of those less fortunate through the provision of food, shelter, rehabilitation and much more.
