A new beginning for Shelly Doodnauth and her children

For years, Shelly Doodnauth of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam, Berbice, lived in uncertainty, struggling to provide a safe and secure home for her five children.

As a 33-year-old part-time worker, her meagre earnings were barely enough to meet their daily needs, let alone repair their deteriorating house. The structure had become unsafe, with worn-out walls and a leaky roof offering little protection against the elements.

Yet, amid her struggles, hope arrived in the form of a life-changing opportunity.

Under President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali’s Men on Mission (MoM) initiative, Shelly and her children were gifted a brand-new, fully furnished three-bedroom home.

On Saturday, as she stepped into her new house for the first time, emotions overwhelmed her. The burden she had carried for so long—worrying about where her children would sleep or how they would endure rainy nights—was finally lifted.

Her family now has a place where they can truly feel safe, where her children can grow up with dignity and comfort.

Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha, who officially handed over the home, reaffirmed the government’s steadfast commitment to supporting vulnerable families across the country.

“Not only in Region Six but in every single region across this country, we are ensuring that families like these receive the help they need,” he said.

The Men on Mission programme, with a substantial budgetary allocation of $700 million this year, continues to transform lives. Of this amount, $395 million has been dedicated to building 52 homes for struggling families, offering them a fresh start and a brighter future.

The new house given to Shelly Doodnauth of Angoy’s Avenue, Region Six (DPI photo)