Community News
Guyana Help the Kids Charity to host Havana Nights 8th Annual fundraising gala
BY: LEANNE BENN
Guyana Help the Kids is back for the 8th year to host their annual gala. This gala features a dinner and dance fundraising opportunity for guests to contribute to this registered Canadian charity.
Guyana Help the Kids is focused on decreasing the rate of neonatal and infant mortality in developing countries around the world, specifically the South American country of Guyana. Founded in 2006 by Guyanese born Canadian pediatrician, Narendra Singh, each passing year has proven to be successful in terms of providing education and awareness to Guyanese physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers on infant mortality rates. The programs under Guyana Help the Kids are focused on training and support, hand hygiene, pediatric residency, biomedicine, pediatric oncology programs, and the NICU nursing program.
A major part of Guyana Help the Kids was focused at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation. Through the donations received at the charity, the public hospital was able to open a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and has also provided space for innovative pediatric residency and neonatal nursing programs. In its first year, the NICU has helped reduced neonatal mortality rates by 40%.
Guyana Help the Kids charity has also assisted in the procurement of advanced and specialized equipment for the labs in Guyana. In a joint effort with the Ministry of Health in Guyana, the charity over the years have expanded their awareness training and other activates to regional hospitals in towns located in New Amsterdam, Linden, Suddie and West Demerara Guyana. NICU’s have all been established in these areas.
The annual dinner and dance gala is more than just a fundraising opportunity; it’s a shared celebration with the public to reflect on all the successful ventures made in Guyana. Over the years, Guyana Help the Kids has generated hundreds of thousands of dollars to donate towards the improvement of Guyana’s pediatric unit.
The theme for this year’s celebration and the eight-year anniversary is Havana Nights. The gala will be held on October 13th at the Woodbine Banquet Hall and Convention Center, at 30 Vice Regent Blvd. in Etobicoke. There are approximately 600 spaces available and tickets are now at a limited amount. The public is invited to take part in this celebration to learn more about this charity and to hear about their future expansion goals. With the Havana Nights theme, guests can be sure to expect a fun, interesting and festive evening with a Cuban flair.
The fundraising for this evening will help to maintain the charity’s main source of finances required to help organizations in the various parts of Guyana. Guests can also look forward to the special unveiling of the KidsAID annual magazine. The magazine was edited and published by Tony McWatt and will also serve as an official souvenir programme at the gala. KidsAID will help to keep the public aware of the progress being made throughout the year. For more information on Guyana Help the Kids, visit their website at guyanahelpthekids.com. Tickets can also be purchased for the gala online. On October 13th help support this innovative and passionate charity aiming towards pediatric healthcare in Guyana.