Region Five parents laud ‘Because We Care’

Single parents in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice) have expressed gratitude to the Government for its well established ‘Because We Care’ cash grant initiative, which they say has come at an opportune time. 

The cash grant programme is giving public school students some $15,000 in cash, along with the School Uniform and Supplies Grant of $4,000, totaling $19,000 per child.

Sekla McFarlane, a single parent of six boys was among parents who met with Minister of Public Service, Sonia Parag MP on Monday, to receive the cash grant. McFarlane, who is also a member of the Guyana Police Force, said she was thankful to the Government for implementing the initiative, which she said will help to prepare her children for school. 

“I’m very much excited to be collecting this cash grant because I am a single parent of six boys and this here will help a great lot for school in September,” McFarlane told DPI.

Another single parent, Lashauna Langevine also thanked the Government for implementing the programme to assist parents. She will be using the money to purchase books and other school items for her children.

“I am very happy about this initiative because of the Corona and everything that has been going on, it has been very hard for me especially as a single parent I have three kids so it will be a great help to me.”

Some 2,010 cash grants will be distributed to students of the Bushlot Nursery, Hopetown Nursery, Latchmansingh Primary, Hopetown Primary, Bushlot Secondary and Fort Wellington Secondary Schools.

Speaking at the launching at the Fort Wellington Secondary School, Minister Parag said the programme seeks to bring relief to parents preparing their children for the new academic term.

“Parents, those of you who have one child, you know how much this means to you. Who have more than one child you know how much this means to you. Because when the school time comes and September comes you and only you know how you have to provide for your children and so in any small way this money is going to be able to assist you,” she said.

The Minister assured parents that the Administration is committed to fulfilling its promise of increasing the cash grant to $50,000 at the end of its first five years in office.

Member of Parliament Faizal Jaffarally said the PPP/C Government recognises the importance of education and the role it plays in the development of the economy and the eradication of poverty, hence the heavy investments into the sector.

He added that while significant work is being done to improve the infrastructure countrywide, the Administration is ensuring children have the necessary support to attend school. The reintroduction of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant programme will see approximately 172,000 students benefitting at a cost of $3.2 billion.