Georgetown, GINA, February 24, 2004

Administrator of the Amerindian Hostel, Virgil Ferreira, has refuted statements made by C.N. Sharma on his programme “Voice of the People” with regard to the service provided to Amerindians at the Amerindian Hostel in Princes Street, Georgetown.
Sharma stated on several occasions that Amerindians staying at the Hostel are not adequately accommodated. Recently on the programme, he also said that Amerindians are only given one meal per day at the Hostel.
However, Officials at the Ministry of Amerindians Affairs contended that this is certainly not so, as the Amerindians are usually given three meals per day and are also provided with other facilities while there.
When contacted, Ferreira noted that Sharma has always been making false statements on his programme, and he disclosed that Amerindians staying at the Hostel are given three meals per day plus a snack at 10:00 a.m and another at 2:00 p.m daily.
The administrator said that a laundry service is also provided, and a welfare officer is at hand and is responsible for assisting Amerindians financially to return to their villages.
The Hostel provides the service of a nurse who would accompany the Indigenous people to clinic, if need be, and to the Georgetown Public Hospital for treatment.
He noted too that sometimes the patients may be referred to the Woodlands Hospital and the nurse would take them there. She would also assist in acting as a translator for those who could only speak their indigenous language.
Ferreira observed that Amerindians are also assisted with burials and the Hostel is equipped with a radio set to communicate with their relatives and friends in the various regions.