Scouts in Guyana lead action against hunger

Scouts in Guyana are driving volunteer efforts to give much-needed support to their local communities affected by COVID-19, in particular families and underprivileged groups facing increasing food insecurity due to reduced income and a decrease in economic activity across the country.

The Scouts from the St. Margaret’s Scout group are leading a project to source and donate hampers filled with food and cleaning supplies for people in need. The items in the hampers include rice, canned meat and tuna, flour, sugar, onions, garlic, pasta, peas, fruits, hand sanitisers and bleach, to a value of around USD 50.

What started as a small project, soon ballooned into a much bigger undertaking thanks to a partnership with the Hand in Hand Mutual Fire and Life Insurance Companies, which has provided sponsorship for the initiative. And, with news of their efforts rapidly spreading, more donations have been given to the Scouts, from Guyana and further afield in the US and Canada, enabling them to assist even more families in need.

The Scouts have distributed hampers to orphanages and vulnerable families across Georgetown and Berbice (approximately 170 hampers), including to the Camal Home for vulnerable children and victims of domestic abuse, plus additional hampers to families in need in the village of Orealla and Siparuta, and to people taking shelter in churches. The Scout volunteers ensure that all necessary safety measures, including social distancing, are upheld at all times.

When the Scout group was contacted by people in two remote villages, cut off from their usual supplies of food and essential items due to shop closures and limited transport, one of the Scout Leaders led a fundraising drive and, with the help of other Scouts, their families and friends, they managed to raise USD 4,000 and distribute 120 to the villages. And since getting to the villages was a challenge, the Scouts worked with their community to move the packages on a number of boats.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, Scouts worldwide have been responding to the needs of their communities on an individual and group level, leading community service actions and assisting others in need. This is what Scouting is about: leadership, making a positive impact in your community, serving others. To support these efforts, please consider making a donation to Scouting here.