Child Advocacy Centre to be established in Lethem

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud has announced that Lethem, Region Nine will soon have its own Child Advocacy Centre (CAC).

The significant step towards protecting the rights and well-being of children is being brought to fruition, through the collaborative effort of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) ─ ChildLink and Blossom Inc.

“We have given both [NGOs] substantial subventions towards the establishment of child advocacy centres and they work in partnership with this ministry to provide support services. So, with ChildLink, there will be the establishment of a child advocacy centre in Region Nine, Lethem,” Minister Persaud said during a recent interview.

The development signifies a proactive approach towards safeguarding children’s rights and creating a safe and nurturing environment for them to grow and thrive.

As the centre will offer specialised services designed to respond to cases of child sexual abuse efficiently, by ensuring that children have access to a child-safe and child-friendly space to share their stories and get the support needed to overcome the trauma they have suffered.

CACs play a pivotal role in coordinating and streamlining services, including medical care, counselling, legal assistance, and social support. The centre will be open to all communities, including migrants.

The undertaking is all part of the PPP/C Administration’s efforts of expanding childcare programmes and centres countrywide while enhancing the capacity of the Child Care and Protection Agency.

Additionally, the ministry’s domestic violence tollfree 914-hotline is sharing the role of providing aid to persons, especially women and girls, who are exposed to domestic abuse, providing them with a safe space to seek help. the 2020 campaign trail.

The service was launched in December 2020, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and several telecommunications networks including Digicel Guyana, Guyana Telephone and Telegraph (GTT), and the Telecommunications Agency.

Since the launch, the ministry has taken steps to improve the hotline by ensuring all 914 operators are trained in foreign languages, to assist every victim who makes a report.

The initiative is being executed through the Ministry of Housing and Water – Central Housing and Planning Authority. The Minister said it will promote healthier and more sustainable living conditions in the area. Minister Croal also committed to the development of a new well to serve the community in the 2024 budgetary allocations.

Some $20 million in contracts were inked for supply of labour and materials for the construction of the homes. The labour and timber for the houses will be sourced from the sub-district.

Regional Chairman, Mr.

Brentnol Ashley and Parliamentary Secretary, Ms. Sarah Brown also addressed residents at the meeting.

The Regional Chairman in his remarks stated that the government has continuously fulfilled its commitments to provide a better life for the residents of Region One in housing, education and other sectors.

Following the meeting, the Minister and team also visited the site where a number of the homes are to be constructed.

The Hinterland Housing Programme will also see the construction of homes in Regions Seven, Eight and Nine.

Gov’t to build teachers’ living quarters at Eteringbang

ThePPP/C Administration continues to provide the necessary investments to ensure teachers are provided with the requisite accommodation and amenities regardless of geographic location.

As part of this commitment, the government is inviting bids to construct and furnish teachers’ living quarters at Eteringbang and Bartica, Region Seven.

This will improve the living standards of teachers as well as help to advance the delivery of quality education in the region.

Bids are also invited to construct schools at Jawalla, Region Seven; Kopinang, Region Eight; Kwebanna and Hosororo, Region One, and Tuschen, Region Three.

All qualified contractors can submit a bid, and it will be evaluated using the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) processes outlined in the Procurement Act of 2003 and Regulations of 2004.

Bidders who are eligible and interested can get more details from the Ministry of Education’s Procurement Unit, at 21 Brickdam, Georgetown.

Tenders must be delivered on or before 9:00 am on June 8, 2023, to the Chairman, National Procurement and Tender Administration Board, Ministry of Finance Compound, Main and Urquhart Streets, Georgetown.

The government has allocated $94.4 billion this year to further improve access to education for all.