Wakapau parents say ‘Because We Care’ a blessing
The Government has come in for high praise from parents in Wakapau Village, Pomeroon-Supenaam, for the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant initiative.
Dorothy Richards, a mother of seven, said the money will be invested to produce a steady income for her children. Richards received grants for six of her children enrolled in the public school system.
“I said I want to do something that will keep me going with them children because it’s not easy to support so if it’s not all, I will use some of the money to invest.”
Carol Thomas said with four young children in school, times have been tough over the past year to provide for them.
“I just want to see my children go to school more and this grant will help a lot because I find it so hard sometimes because there are times my husband is not working. This grant is a blessing to us parents, you know the people are so excited.”
Another mother, Wanda Williams expressed gratitude for the grant and noted that it will greatly assist her in purchasing school items for her 13-year-old daughter.
Similarly, teachers expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the timely roll out of the programme.
Sharilyn Richards, a young teacher at Mabel Sandy Nursery School told DPI that she anticipates an increase in attendance at schools in the area.
“I think the cash grant will help the children to come out to school more because it will also help them in their homes and school wise.”
Dale Atkinson, a teacher at Yoroshima Primary School and a father of three shared similar sentiments.
“I think the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant will come in very handy for many parents at this time during the pandemic and it will be a great help for these children” he said.
The reintroduction of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant to children in public schools is another manifesto promise fulfilled by the PPP/C Government. The programme was officially launched in Region Two on Wednesday by Education Minister, Priya Manickchand MP.
She was joined by Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, Nigel Dharamlall MP and Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat MP. The three ministers fanned out across the region to launch the programme.
The grant was first introduced in 2014 valued at $10,000, however, it was discontinued under the previous APNU/AFC administration. Additionally, the PPP/C Government has increased the school uniform and supplies voucher from $2,000 to $4,000, which is being distributed in cash this year. Each child registered in the public school system will receive $19,000. Approximately 172,000 students will benefit from the $3.2 billion programme countrywide.