United Bridge Builders Mission saving lives in Guyana
By Tangerine Clarke
Bonita Montaque, chief executive
officer and founder of the
United Bridge Builders Mission
(UBBM) is bent on ending the
scourge of domestic violence that
is plaguing citizens in Guyana,
mainly women, who are losing
their lives to senseless cruelty.
Montaque, executives and
members who started the New
York and Guyana-based non-profit
(501 C 3 Tax Exempt) organization,
are making impressive
strides in Guyana, where a recent
Easter fundraising extravaganza
at the LBI Sports complex on the
East Bank of Demerara, raised
much needed funds to move its
agenda forward.
Domestic Violence Prevention,
HIV/AIDS, and advocacy
programs are paramount to
ensure the safety and health of
members of the community.
The festive program of steel
pan entertainment by pannist
Camo Williams, a stand-up comedy
by the hilarious, Chow Pow,
and a captivating medley of ballads
by international vocalist,
Mark Ferdinand, gave organizers
a time to relax away from
their indelible work and grueling
schedule, for a charitable cause.
The afternoon festivities,
which brought out recently
retired Consul General of Guyana
to New York, Barbara Atherly,
among many others, who won
prizes via ‘a musical napkins’
game, raised much needed funds
to continue the group’s Youth
Empowerment Workshop, Suicide
Caribbean L 28 ife, APRIL 23-29, 2021
Prevention and Therapeutic
Support agenda, and Child Advocacy
plan of action.
Montague, a former police
officer of the Guyana Police
Force, and humanitarian, who
has impacted the lives of many
through outreaches to enrich
the lives of citizens, has been
crafting strategies to create a
platform for free expression and
creative art development for the
young population in her homeland
where she has been residing
for more than three years.
The UBBM founder, who has
said, “invest in our Women today
for stronger families tomorrow,”
earlier this year commended 40
women and girls who pursued
the Cosmetology Scholarship
Program at Beautiful “U” Salon
in Georgetown, which has existed
for decades.
“This collaborative program
is no doubt an investment into
the lives of many women with
goals of transforming their lives
Bonita Montaque, chief executive offi cer and founder of the United Bridge Builders Mission
(UBBM, seventh from left) with executive and members of the organization. Photo by
Tangerine Clarke
making them self sufficient and
less vulnerable. A mission UBBM
has been committed to over the
many years,” she said.
The women received cake, ice
cream and roses with appropriate
music to complement the
day.
“Any program UBBM commits
to must be productive and
fun. We believe learning should
be fun, hence our approach is
always different.
“The psychosocial component
is a big focus of our work. If you
feel good, you perform better. It’s
that simple,” she said.
The group is also focused
on youth development, and she
noted that with the aid of music,
drama and other self-motivating
skills, youths are open to communicating
for a better livelihood.
The organization has also
begun its Meals on Wheels program
to target persons with HIV/
AIDS, who are shut-in, and students
from five schools in the
area.
The overwhelming success of
the program was evident by the
fact that all participating students
were able to attend higher
learning, according Montague
and her team.
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