RC Demerara: Vocational Award For Ms. Denise Dias - The Story Of Help & Shelter

How did Help & Shelter came about? Ms. Dias said that, some time during 1995, she saw a picture in the Guyana local papers of a queue of persons standing outside the re-opened Georgetown Legal Aid Clinic (GLAC). On seeing the media photograph with lines outside the GLAC office, she called her friend Josephine to ask if GLAC needed a volunteer to assist in the process (that is.  filing, receptionist, typing etc.).  The answer was yes. When possible, on most afternoons after work, around 4:00 p.m., she reported to GLAC and assisted where necessary.  She relieved the GLAC receptionist after 4pm and realized that the majority of persons (mainly female) who sought help were physically and emotionally abused and did not know where else to go.  After several days of noting that most of the GLAC enquiries were on domestic violence issues, she asked Josephine "Why is there no shelter for these abused women and their children?" The response she received was that GLAC can only provide legal and court support. There was no facility available for domestic violence victims. It was then that she decided that something had to be done - “There was need for land and a building." Ms. Dias, Ms. Josephine Whitehead and a lawyer/director of Cameron & Shepherd then co-founded Help & Shelter.

 

Ms. Dias and her husband, Dennis Dias, were the main persons who raised funds every year through the Guyana Squash Association at the Georgetown Club.  In December 1995, they raised over a million GYD to begin the process and through the then Minister of Housing, Henry Jeffrey, they were given land outside of Georgetown for the shelter. In 1996, they were given an annex next to Ministry of Housing on Home Stretch Avenue for a Crisis Centre and office.  Through the Canadian High Commission they developed a proposal and the remainder of the funds needed was received to build the shelter outside of Georgetown.  During 1998/1999, the much needed shelter was opened for abused women and their children.

 

Over the past ten years, they have received a stipend from the Government of Guyana to continue the shelter services, with Government assistance also been given to towards electricity and security services. While government support is appreciated, it only makes up a third of what is needed to run the shelter. Additional funding though international donors has recently depleted through-out the world. Unfortunately, and understandably, international funding agencies are no longer paying for administrative staff. However, over the last twenty years, Help & Shelter has somehow been able to "limp" along on a monthly basis to maintain services for our abused clients and their children, public education etc. Ms Dias said that she, personally felt that the funding they continue to receive is mainly due to the amazing records they keep both financially and on the projects they have on-going and completed throughout Guyana.

 

In addition to spport from funding agencies, Help & Shelter hosts an annual brunch/dinner fundraiser and a scavenger hunt event for the younger folks. They make an estimated profit of at least two million GY dollars per annum after expenses. In 2016, on 2nd April, they are hosting a "Dinner With Elvis".  Through the kind generosity of their main sponsor, Ansa McAl, they are bringing in an Elvis impersonator from Trinidad and also a surprise local artiste. The Rotary Club of Demerara has over the years continued to support this NGO. Past President Beverly has been instumental in supporting this NGO over the years and this year once again she will be their Master of Ceremonies for their event.  This event will be held at the Georgetown Club from 7pm.
 

Additonal information on the work of Help & Shelter, please visit their website

 

Submitted by:

Jenelle Blackman

2015-2016 Secretary

Rotary Club of Demerara