Repeat performance for Hope Children’s Home
July 11, 2005
Three
sports enthusiasts have returned to Guyana this year to repeat a sports
project they implemented last summer with the Hope Children’s Home.
Mr. Martin Birse and Daniel Douglas have brought along with them, this
time, Mr. Jason Crawley to conduct an 8-week sports project which offers
a selection of team sports for the children.
The young men, who come from the United Kingdom, said it was their goal
to return to Guyana again this year and repeat last year’s successful
sports experience for the children.
They came through fund-raising in the United Kingdom and have worked with
companies who gave their continued help.
During the past three months Martin, Daniel and Jason have organised
various fund-raising activities such as BBQs, jumble sales and other
social events.
Through these events, they raised awareness of such homes like Hope in
Guyana and encouraged others in the UK to participate in similar
charitable work placements.
Mr. Birse said donations were given by Alderwood which specialises in
caring for children with autism. The company also assisted last year.
He added that Alderwood raised funds for Hope by organising a sponsored
walk with their staff and autistic clients. All monies collected will be
used for the new school year in September and to purchase games, sporting
gear and other equipment.
He said Corporate Merchandise Company (CMC), based in Luton, England has
given assistance once again this year with a cash donation and sports
clothing for the sports day event here.
Mr. Birse pointed out that the main aim is to build a relationship with
the children and educating them on the importance of working as a team
and supporting each other.
The introduction of physical activities to the home will conclude with a
sports day on August 19.
This will be of much benefit to the children and will see interaction
between HOPE and the people of Enmore on the East Coast Demerara.
Hope Children’s Home is located at Lot 20-21 Plantation Hope, East Coast
Demerara and is home to about 49 children.
Supervisor of the Direct Care, Samantha Finlayson, said over the past
three years the school’s mission has been "To offer HOPE to the abused,
abandoned and neglected children of Guyana and to help rebuild
relationships between children and their families, through unconditional
love and the promises of our Almighty God.”
She said Hope Children's Home is a ministry of the Church of Christ and
it began with the Enmore Church of Christ in February 2001.
“As our plans for HOPE developed, we looked among three villages and
could not find land to build a suitable structure. We are indebted to the
Enmore Church of Christ for giving us half of their building for five
years while we try to find land to build,” Finlayson said.
The dedicated staff at Hope Children’s Home consists of 15 women, along
with the Director, Kenneth Finlayson, and his wife Samantha.
Finlayson told the Chronicle that the employees take on the
responsibilities of food preparation, laundry, teaching, and care-givers
in general.
She said there are two live-in staff, Grandma, who was there from the
beginning, and Maria, who joined later.