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National Children Cultural Foundation Inc. was off to a great start earlier this year with Kal Ke Rang in March 2017. However recently, we have embarked on something extraordinary. About two weeks now, the President & Founder of NCCFInc. Pandit Narayan Latchana and his wife, as well as myself, the Treasurer of NCCFInc. Pandit Devanand Das went on a Humanitarian Mission to the village of Yakusari in Corentyne Berbice, Guyana. The work done there was indeed remarkable & the mission was a grand success.

Pandit Narayan Latchana has visited his hometown of Yakusari, 14 years after migrating to Queens continuing the great work he has initially started in Guyana for more than 3 1/2 decades with children. Those members of the youth Group & the entire village were so happy to see him and his Dharmpatni Mataji Lelawatie Latchana after so many years.

On our first day, we had a warm welcome with the villagers meeting us by the roadside. They honored us beautifully with garlands and marched with us chanting Maha Mantra with Dholak and Tassa to the Yakusari Bhuvaneshwar Mandir, a beautiful edifice through the help of financial contributions from people like you and through the leadership of Pandit Latchana and the Yakusari Humanitarian Group.

Our mission began with the 1st session of our 5 Session Gyaan Yajna & Concluding with a grand Youth Concert with the members of the local Mandirs & nearby 4 Villages in Yakusari: BlackBush, Mibicuri, Lesbeholden and Johanna.

The Yajna began on Wednesday night April 26, 2017 officiated by Pandit Narayan Latchana and Myself. We’ve done a joint presentation with each other as well as the other Pandit’s of the Mandir and Pandits visiting from nearby villages. The main theme for the Yajna and mission was Unity in the Community & jointly the Vyaas Pandit Narayan Latchana & Pandit Devanand Das as well as the other Pandit’s delivered wonderful messages from Ramayana, Bhagwad Gita, KabirDas & deep philosophy. The attendance was phenomenal each night filling The Yakusari Bhuvaneshwar Mandir inside as well as outside.

One of the night sessions of the Yajna, we were visited by the honorable Dr. Vindhya Persaud of the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha, the daughter of the late Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud, the guru of Pandit Narayan Latchana. With her, we were able to also have the presence of the learned Pandit Jagmohan Persaud and Pandit Pradeep, the chairman for the Upper Corentyne Praant of the Sabha. 10 Pandit’s one night graced the Yajna with their presence.

On Thursday & Friday April 27, 2017 and April 28, 2017, the mission began, feed the School Children. The many helpers of the villages worked in unity and prepared delicious vegetarian chowmein & fried rice sponsored by the National Children Cultural Foundation Inc. In 2 Days, we fed the children in 4 of the schools in the Yakusari Area. The Lesbeholden, Blackbush, Mibicuri & Johanna Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools. In addition to feeding the children, they were also given a nice school bag with a pencil and a bag of goodies sponsored by the Yakusari Humanitarian Group. In total, we reached out to over 850+ children to put a smile on their face and some ease to their parents’ pockets.

On Friday, Pdt. Latchana led the people in a very special Gao or Village Puja. As we know, Guyana has one of the highest rates in suicide and murder cases. The puja was for the benefit for all in the village as well as for the entire country of Guyana. To help decrease the high rates of Guyana epidemics, Pdt. Latchana teamed up with older members and founders of the first Yakusari temple to build a Hindu Cultural Center. This center would serve as an outreach to the people in the nearby areas for Pandit classes, Music Classes, Hindu learning, seminars, forums, workshops, and conventions on Drug Abuse, Child Abuse, Suicide Prevention, etc. The Cultural Center is being built in honoring the memories of the original founders of the first temple.

During our visit, Pdt. Latchana also re-organized and strengthened the youth group, Bacho Ka Satsangh (children group) as well as the Executive Body of the Yakusari Bhuvaneshwar Mandir. The Yakusari Humanitarian Group is a NY Based Organization that does incredible work for their loved ones in Yakusari. But, now their group has a Chapter in their home village of Yakusari continuing the great work for humanity. Pdt. Latchana has worked on and strengthened 3 groups. Bacho Ka Satsangh, The Mandir Executive Group & the Yakusari Humanitarian Group Branch. Each group is strong and vibrant with a number of dedicated and hardworking members totaling between 20-35 members, showing Unity in the Community.

He also brought the many villagers together with an Outdoor Fun Day and to 63 Beach where we all had fun playing games like cricket, rounder’s, bun eating competition, ice cream eating competition & Indian games. A magnificent grand parents & great grandparents dinner was also held that brought lots of old faces together. It was a program of its kind; they were entertained with music & given monetary gifts in appreciation.

Many times we see Pdt. Rajin Balgobin at many Yajna & hear about the beautiful Krishna Mandir in Gay Park. Devotees, your donations helped to construct a gorgeous temple in which we were blessed to visit. Another institution we visited was Bal Nivas, led & operated by Dr. Vindy of The Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha. An establishment to help endangered children.

In concluding the 5 sessions Yajna, a Grand Youth Concert was held at the Yakusari Bhuvaneshwar Mandir where youths from the village came out to participate, representing their Mandirs. The children made presentations on Ramayana, Bhagwad Gita Shlok, Quotations, and Group Songs & Dances. They were all honored with a medal for encouragement. Not only did the children receive medals but also some of the leaders in the village received plaques for their remarkable work done in the community.

In general, a lot was accomplished in my 5 days & my Guruji Pdt. Latchana 16 days. But the missions continue. The experience in Guyana was remarkable. I met lots of new people, made new friends, performed Seva and had an immense amount of fun. I do look forward to the next mission like this & do hope that many others can be able to join us as well. Pdt. Narayan Latchana will like to say a special thank you to everyone for his or her generous contributions in every way. No contribution is too big or too small to make someone’s life better.