‘Get Real with Shameeza’ to highlight more real-life issues in Season 6
Season Six of the ‘Get Real with Shameeza’ show is set for grand premiere on Wednesday (May 3), with an Indian Arrival Day special on its various platforms.
What started out as a venture to bring awareness to women’s rights and highlighting their talents has evolved into a diverse discourse on topical issues, using social and conventional media to reach its target audience.
‘Get Real with Shameeza’ is the brainchild of US-based Guyanese Shameeza Ally, who has put together several panels to share their expertise on various issues.
Season Six is set to premiere on Wednesday from 20:00h on the ‘Get Real with Shameeza’ Facebook page, YouTube, Island Zone Radio and NTN Channel 18/Cable 69 in Guyana.
The opening show will feature Guyanese artiste Terry Gajraj, Asheana Jhingree of ‘Cooking with Ash’ and Dancer Oma Devi of New York.
While the other guests for the remainder of the season will remain a secret for now, discussions will centred around mental health issues/awareness, Pride Month in June, suicide and domestic abuse and violence.
Through the programme, Shameeza was able to establish ‘SafAri for Hope’, an organisation that provides assistance to battered women and young girls.
“We have been able to give back in so many ways to our community,” Shameeza said.
“Last year, we shared the story of Tulchand Chapelle, a young man who lives in Wakenaam. We were able to repair his house and provide food, a cell phone, and a portable welding plant so he could work and be self-sufficient. We provided laptops to high schools on the West Coast of Demerara, and we visited the First Lady, Arya Ali, and contributed towards her initiative.
Shameeza added, “Last December, we did a toys, coats, and food hampers distribution in Queens, New York. We were also able to provide financial support to a family in Trinidad recently that needed funding for health issues.”
To ensure the continuation of the work of ‘SafAri for Hope’, some of which include workshops for young people to teach cooking, financial planning, business management, and many other self-sustainable services, several fund-raising activities are planned for later this year.
“One of our goals is to teach young people how to be more self-sufficient,” Shameeza highlighted.
‘For example, young girls who can do more for themselves are less reliant on men. Research has shown that a lot of women stay in abusive relationships because they are afraid of financial difficulties and providing for a family by themselves and vice versa. We need to change this.”
Additionally, a recognition dinner will be held this year to mark the second anniversary of the ‘Get Real with Shameeza’ show.
“Last year, we recognized guests who made a difference in our community. This year, we intend to recognize business owners who make a huge impact in our community. It will be based on businesses that give back to our community, support our youths and elderly, and provide exceptional customer service to members of our community,’ Shameeza explained.
“Our viewers will nominate and vote for the final 10 outstanding business owners for our ‘Get Real with Shameeza’ Recognition Dinner Awards.”
Shameeza, originally from West Coast Demerara, has spent the last 16 years working in financing at the Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase and HSBC US while raising four children.
The only daughter for her parents, Shameeza got married at the age of 15 and subsequently advanced her education in the US, which led to her current job.
Even while balancing her personal and professional life, she saw the need to provide a platform for other women to not only bring awareness to issues that affect them, but also create an avenue for those concerns to be addressed.
