Narine spreads Christmas cheer

IN keeping with his tradition of spreading Christmas cheer to the less fortunate in his hometown, businessman and preacher Mohan Narine will host a hamper distribution drive from 12 pm, tomorrow, at the old gas station car park, Eastern Main Road, Sangre Grande.

A project of We Care Ministry, which he founded about 15 years ago, Narine said the drive would target some 100 needy families at an estimated cost of $500 per hamper.

He is hoping that residents and well-wishers will give generously to what he considers to be an extremely worthy cause.

“We are, therefore, asking each and every one to be a part of this drive by contributing financially as much as they can, so we can make these families a little more comfortable as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ,” Narine told Newsday.

A familiar personality in the eastern district, Narine, through his ministry, has dedicated his life to caring for the poor, destitute, disillusioned and disadvantaged.

And he has enlisted some helpers in the process.

He started by preparing breakfast for the homeless, which he distributed at the entrance to his business place along the Eastern Main Road, obliquely opposite to the KFC fast food outlet.

Over the years, Narine also urged residents to donate clothes and food items to the homeless.

“The Lord said we must care for the people.”

People caught in the early-morning commute along the Eastern Main Road are sure to hear Narine’s message of hope and healing blaring from a microphone. But the preacher has also been encouraging churches in the district and its environs to do more to assist the less fortunate.

“The churches cannot just stay in their corners preaching. They have to put their words into action and do more to help.”

Narine said We Care Ministry has helped to repair homes in Matelot, Las Lomas, Arima and Four Roads, Tamana.

Several months ago, the organisation also started a book drive for children whose parents cannot afford to purchase them.

He said the book drive raised an estimated $43,000.

“The people of Sangre Grande really supported the drive. We covered 83 book lists and children and parents are still coming to say, ‘Than You'.”

Photo: Courtesy Mohan Narine