Resettled Broad Street squatters benefit from behavioural change workshop

─more psychosocial support to follow

Twenty families relocated from Broad and Lombard Streets, Georgetown, to Prospect, East Bank Demerara are the recent beneficiaries of a community empowerment workshop.

The event, which was hosted by the Central Housing and Planning Authority (CH&PA) in collaboration with ChildLink Guyana, aims to foster behaviour change and personal development.

CH&PA Deputy Director of Community Development, Ms. Donelle Bess-Bascom said the agency understands that the resettlement process is more than simply moving an individual from one location to another.

“You’re looking at helping families and communities to be resettled and to become integrated into the new settlement that they are moving into as part of the process of improving their quality of life,” she explained.

The Deputy Director added, “we also thought that it was necessary to expose our allottees to information on behaviour change and cultural transition. You’re moving from one area to another; the norms and practices that might have obtained where you lived before … the expectations and the requirements and regulations will change.”

In addition to cultural transition, the workshop also covered topics like anger and conflict management and understanding parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Being part of a process where the whole world is affected by the Covid pandemic, I believe it really penetrates every facet of human life and that also includes what takes place in the family circle. So, parenting styles and methods would need to be modified,” Ms. Bess-Bascom said.

Community cohesion and reception

A July 2017 court order secured by the Gonsalves company for the squatters to relocate prompted the $36 million Prospect relocation between the CH&PA and Food for the Poor (Guyana) Incorporated, which was launched in June 2019.

A fire in March 2019, which destroyed the homes of six families, added to the challenges. These families were the first to be given keys to their homes earlier this year.

However, after the squatters were relocated, residents who were living in the area prior to the move raised several concerns.  Most recently, they complained to Minister within the Ministry of Housing and Water, Hon. Susan Rodrigues during an outeach in the area.

Consequently, the workshop was convened, and Ms. Bess-Bascom believes that it will meet its objective and lead to better social cohesion and peace in the community.

“The information they were exposed to, including information on how to adapt to a new environment, what are the requirements of being in a housing scheme … will definitely benefit everybody in the area over time,” she said.

She expressed hope that the enthusiasm displayed during the session will translate into positive lifestyles.

“Participation was very, very high. Of course, the process used, I think, really allowed for that one-on-one interaction in a really relaxed environment […] using a method that participants can really relate to and really learn from,” Ms. Bess-Bascom added.

She also said that as the residents are provided with more information, they will understand to deal with matters that give rise to conflict in “a way that is less violent and less abusive.”

More assistance

The development programme does not end here for the new homeowners.  The Deputy director indicated that several agencies have expressed their willingness to assist.

The Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), as well , the Childcare and Protection Agency, are on board to provide various types of psychosocial support to the group and ChildLink Guyana has also committed to additional assistance.

A plan is also in the works with the Ministry of Agriculture on possible means of engagement.