Businessman spreads Christmas joy

More than 100 parents from some of the most depressed regions of the south city collected grocery vouchers, toys and fruits from businessman Teddy Mohammed last weekend. Under the patronage of Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, and Oropouche West MP Stacy Roopnarine, Mohammed said the most underprivileged children from surrounding schools were chosen to receive the gifts. 

The businessman, who also heads the charitable Edward Mohammed Eye Foundation, said he was pleased to spread Christmas joy to the needy families. “Some of them could not afford to buy basic groceries and this is why we decided to lend assistance,” Mohammed said. He explained that before the school term closed, teachers from the surrounding schools submitted the names of the underprivileged children. Mohammed explained that he hoped to expand the event next year, if business permitted it. Over the past four years, Mohammed has been donating eye glasses for needy children.

 He has also paid for minor eye surgeries. The foundation was set up in the name of his blind son Edward, who lives in the United States. Roopnarine, who distributed the gifts, commended Mohammed for his efforts. She said many people in the Oropouche West Region were facing economic hardships. Roopnarine also noted that she was working with the Ministry of Social Development to assist these impoverished families.

Several of the beneficiaries also expressed gratitude for the vouchers. Shirley Thomas of La Romaine said she had five children and was experiencing financial difficulties after she moved to Trinidad from Tobago. Asked what she wanted for Christmas, Thomas said she wanted a crime free society. Sheena Mohammed Peters said she wanted improvement of water distribu