Human Rights activist wants reintegration programme re-established for deportees

According to Donna Snagg, who is a founding member of the Friendly Society, Juncata Juvant (Latin for things joined together are helpful), such a program is desperately needed to rid the Guyanese society of the stigma attached to deportation and ensure that those "involuntary re-migrants", are given a second chance.

Human Rights activist wants reintegration programme re-established for deportees

A Guyanese Human Rights Advocate and one time deportee from the United States, is lobbying the government to develop a structured reintegration programme for Guyanese deportees.

According to Donna Snagg, who is a founding member of the Friendly Society, Juncata Juvant (Latin for things joined together are helpful), such a program is desperately needed to rid the Guyanese society of the stigma attached to deportation and ensure that those “involuntary re-migrants”, are given a second chance.

“I am requesting that the government considers a programme for deportees… consider it and have it operational,” Snagg told News Source on Tuesday.

Back in 2000, she was part of a team that completed several years of research on persons who are deported to Guyana from the United States.

The research found that in many instances the deported persons are left to fend for themselves without any support from family or the state.

“Many had no family members and those that found family were rejected and shunned and took up residence on the streets,” she recalled.

Snagg believes that it is still the reality today and said it is sad that the situation remains the same.

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Snagg and several other persons had formed the friendly society – Juncata Juvant – and secured funding initially from several organisations in 2007.

But it was not long before funding dried up and coupled with the lack of support from the then PPP government,  the organisation closed its doors in 2011.

“We did not get the political support and then funding dried up so we were forced to close our doors but we still tried to help individual but not as an organisation,” she explained.

During 2007 and 2011 the organisation offered services and care packages of personal hygiene equipment, food hampers and assisted in schooling and training programs for deportees.

Snagg said over 1000 persons were helped through the programme and are now successful members of the Guyanese society.

She said it is sad that today persons are still hesitant to employ “involuntary re-migrants” because of stigma.

Snagg hopes that with the support of this new government she will be able to reestablish an office where persons can come and get the support they need.

Already she has approached several Ministers of the government and is awaiting their responses.

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