The Christmas season was brightened for the people of Mayaro as a result of the social support programme implemented by the Mayaro Movement for Social Upliftment (MMSU).
According to Robert "Robbie" McIntosh, Founder and President of the MMSU, the group was formed five years ago and is focused on creating sustainable development for the people of Mayaro by offering training and also acting as an advocate to generate employment opportunities for the people of the south-eastern community. The organisation also realised the need for social intervention and works to help the less fortunate in the community.
McIntosh explained the idea behind their social programme, "I lost my eyesight years ago but I never let that stop me or slow me down in my quest to fight for the betterment of Mayaro. Through hard work, we were able to set up a fund to assist less fortunate persons with minor surgery or even medical tests. The MMSU also provides equipment such as prosthetic limbs, wheelchairs, nebulisers as well as blood pressure and diabetes testing kits. This year we were also able to give out vouchers to deserving persons from across Mayaro. We work every single day to achieve our mission for a better Mayaro."
A release said the organisation hosted a small presentation ceremony at their Mayaro offices last week where they gave out medical testing equipment as well as 25 vouchers for groceries worth $1,500 each and 13 vouchers for home repairs worth $6,000 each.
Jaby Phillip, of Lewis and Sucre Street, Mayaro, expressed his gratitude "This organisation is doing great work to improve the quality of the lives of the people of Mayaro. I was in an accident recently and could not work so they presented me with a voucher for groceries. I can tell you that my family, including my three kids, are very grateful for this assistance that will go a long way toward making our Christmas merrier. I wish Robbie and the MMSU all the best as they continue their work in helping make a better Mayaro."
As indicated by McIntosh, the MMSU currently has over 250 registered members, but their work impacts the entire community as they try to help everyone they can. The organisation receives assistance to achieve their mission from the entire community including corporate stakeholders such as BP Trinidad and Tobago.
Ronda Francis, Corporate Responsibility manager, bpTT, explained the impetus behind their support for the MMSU, "Across the world non-governmental and community-based organisations are critical to driving sustainable development and social change. Throughout the year, bpTT provides training to make these organisations more effective and empowered in achieving their objectives. Apart from our own social programmes, we also support positive work like this project by the MMSU."
McIntosh explained that they will be offering medical assistance throughout the year and that he was hoping to expand the impact of their organisation with the coming of the New Year 2017.
According to retiree Veronica Rampersad from Rest House Village, Mayaro, "The MMSU gave me blood sugar and pressure testing kits so that I can monitor my health and I am truly grateful for this help toward living a healthier and happier life. I may not have many resources, but I would like to help them make my community a better place in any way that I can. They have shown us that we can all work together to lift Mayaro to where it should be as a model community for the nation to follow."