$220 Million Children and Family center, the first of its kind.

– Facility holds eight apartments for less fortunate families.

– Transition Coaches to be employed.

– Is expected to be commissioned by end of March.

– No more Drop- In Center.

– Renamed to the Children and Family Center.

DPI, Guyana, Thursday, March 7, 2019

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally and team on Thursday morning visited the construction site of a $220 Million Children and Family Centre at Plum Park, Georgetown. The facility the first of its kind locally will serve as a temporary stop for the less fortunate and is expected to be commissioned by the end of March.

“I must say that I am pleased with the work carried out thus far and that our children will be provided with the much-needed comfort come March,” Minister Ally said.

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene said the facility’s purpose is to avoid separation of families and provide care for children as they transition from difficult circumstances.

Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally.

One out of the eight, two bedrooms family living quarters.

A newly constructed Mess Hall.

Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lorene Baird and Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency interacts with a contractor.

Minister Amna Ally and team inspecting the construction.

A worker casting a passage way in the compound of the facility.

From left to right are Minister of Social Protection, Amna Ally, Director of Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene and Deputy Permanent Secretary, Lorene Baird.

Director of Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene.

“There are eight family apartments, independent family apartments for families. There are also four apartments for children of different ages, boys and girls and there is a training centre for counselling sessions. We do not want to just provide housing for persons that will be here at the facility but ensure they received every other necessity to help them transform,” the Director of Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene said

Other facilities constructed in the compound are a mess hall, administration building, a storage department, coaching department and a playground. The Director further highlighted that there will be strict regulations and standard operating procedures implemented to guide the acceptance of families who desire to use the facility.

“To prevent the unnecessary separation of children, when we visit and find that families are facing problems that create vulnerability, such as lack of accommodation, the facility will be a savior, families will be trained to be self- sufficient and will be able to have their children with them in a family oriented living condition.,” Director of Childcare and Protection Agency, Ann Greene said

In July 2016, a fire gutted the previous Drop-In Centre on Hadfield Street, Georgetown. However, this newly constructed facility will have heightened safety measures.

Ayana George.

Images: Jules Gibson.