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The History of The Dharm Shala.
"The need for morally and socially uplifting work in the country". That there was need for moral and social work in the country, non can deny. The Need was so since the begining of the period.
The Dharm Shala is a charitable institution devoted to the poor, destitute and unfortunate of Guyana, free of any charge.
The eighty-three year old organization is being carried on by Harry S. Ramsaroop, son of the founder of the institution Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj for the past 54 years.It was established by Pandit Ramsaroop Maraj in Albouystown and is a legally constituted body under Ordinance 12 of 1943.
Due to the constraints and limited subvention by the Government of Guyana of $G 100,000 annually, the Dharm Shala is highly dependent on charitable contributions.
We therefore, through this web-site launching, hope to attract persons – Guyanese and non-nationals for support by way of contribution however small one can afford to assist in the good work of the Dharm Shala.
Please feel free to ask any question or make any suggestion in making the Dharm Shala more efficient.
Kindly make payments to
• The Dharm Shala’s Banker's Draft
• Cheque or Money Order made payable to the Dharm Shala.
• Bank Transfer made payable to the Dharm Shala account with Guyana Bank For Trade And Industry, Water Street, Georgetown, Guyana, South America.- Mr. Edward Boyer,
Member of the Executive Board.
The Dharm Shala is an institution devoted to the poor and needy of Guyana. It was established by Mr. Ramsaroop Maraj in Albouystown, a depressed area in Georgetown, Guyana. The Dharm Shala is a legally constituted body under Ordinance 12 of 1943. Meetings are held quartely, books are audited ever year on May, 31 of every year by certified auditors. The services provided by this institution are absolutely free of cost for anyone in need. People of all walks of life can come to this institution and receive aid at not cost to them.
The inmates as well as outsiders are served with hot meals everyday. There is a kitchen, where the food is prepared by a ‘seasoned’ chef, who himself is a inmate of the Dharm Shala. There are also special treats on holidays, where everyone is treated to a special meal, and sometimes even dance to the melody of a sting band. A Thanksgiving Service conducted by a priest from the Anglican Diocese wold start at 10:00 hrs. and the Prime Minister or President or a government representitve would attend to bring Christmas Cheer by way of greetings and to assist in feeding the poor. A few days before Christmas there is also a special Christmas Treat for the children of
As the work of the society progressed, it was found necessary to provide a place of worship for the Christian residents, especially those who were too feeble to walk a long distance to go to their churches. And so, there came into being the Anglican chapel of St. Francis which was dedicated and opened by His Lordship, the Bishop of Guiana, the Rt. Rev. Alan J. Knight in 1939 at 125 King Edward Street, Albouystown. The church is also attended by a large number of people who reside in Albouystown. Church services are offered to the inmates as well as other interested citizens within the neighborhood. There is a Christian Church and a Hindu temple. Church services are conducted by the respective priests on Sundays. Also, there are special services on religious holidays. Churches are held twice weekly at the Hindu temple and once weekly in the St. Francis Chapel.
One of the greatest services provided by the Dharm Shala is the free medical aids and treatment. People in need can come here and receive absolutely free medical aids, attention and treatment. There is a part-time doctor who treats and looks after patients ailing from diseases, etc. There is also a fully functional dispensary where drugs are distributed freely to those in need.
In about 1925, the pandit's next thought was for a school to teach English, Hindi and Urdu. About this time Sir Kuwar Maharah Singh, M.A.,C.I.E.,I.C.S, a delegate from the Indain Government, arrived in the colony and it was decided and arranged by the Society that he should be invited to lay the corner stone.The building was formally opened on August 30, 1926 by the Governor of the colony – Sir Cecil Hunter Rodwell. The school was well established, received a small grant from the government to supplement the salaries of the teachers. Hindi and English were taught at the school free of charge. Children of the poorer classes were provided with meals and other help. At the time of opening, there were 187 pupils listed on its roll in the Hindu section and 124 in the English section.
The first floor of the building houses inmates who are physically handicapped. Some of them may not be strong enough to climb the stairs, blind or otherwise handicapped. On the second floor of the building are permanent inmates. In one building are female inmates and the other building are male inmates. There is also a dispensary in one of the Ferro-concrete buildings. There is a part time doctor who provides medical services to the inmates and other citizens in need. There is also a kitchen where the food is prepared. The kitchen contains two furnaces which uses wood.
