Man seeks US$3M for dubious Guyana project - Bajans on alert
BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, (CANA) - A fund-raising drive by a Guyanese group registered in New York has brought a swift warning from Guyana's honorary consul in Barbados, Norman Faria. Guyanese Victor Babb, an insurance executive living in the United States told the media in Barbados where he has met privately with some Guyanese, that he was president of a "Rebuild Guyana Inc." which is engaged in a project to raise US$3 million. He said that the fund-raising campaign was originally initiated by the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) but he was promoting the efforts in and out of the U.S, including social events and sports. But following two private meetings in Barbados before Babb left for Antigua, Faria, the Guyana consul, said he had checked with the Government in Georgetown and was advised that "there is no organisation known as `Rebuild Guyana Inc.' "that is listed among official or approved organisations". Nor, said Faria, was he personally aware of the effort Babb claims to represent, and for which he was distributing flyers asking for donations in sums ranging from US$25 to US$1,000 to be forwarded by cheque to an address in Elmont, New York. Faria said that Guyanese living in Barbadians as well as Barbadians have been telephoning him to inquire about the "Rebuild Guyana" fund-raising organisation. He said he has had to explain that they should be "wary" of any individual or group publicly soliciting funds without the relevant consent of the "appropriate authorities" in the country where such efforts are made to raise money. Especially so when, as in this case, the claimed project involves US$3 million towards a rebuilding process about which nothing is officially known in Guyana. The Guyana consul has advised that Guyanese in Barbados or Barbadian friends of Guyana who wish to contribute to worthy causes in Guyana, such as the Guyana Relief Council, the Red Cross or other reputable organisations should first check with the Consul Office to ascertain how best to make direct contact to help "credible organisations" in Guyana. Babb said while he was in Barbados that `Rebuild Guyana Inc'. wanted to "develop a new generation of leaders, rebuild human resources, bring back national pride, wipe out racism and refocus on education". 
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