Hundreds support Child Abuse Awareness Walk in Linden
Hundreds of school children, officials and community members came out in full support of a child abuse awareness walk in Linden on Friday, organised by Lester and Friends, in collaboration with Youths for Change (YFC). The walk, themed “Breaking the Silence”, commenced at the Bayroc Community Centre Ground at Wismar and culminated at the Mackenzie Sports Club (MSC) Ground, at
Students walk against child abuse
Mackenzie.
Schools were closed across the region to facilitate the walk, which was a follow-up exercise from last year’s Schools Suicide Awareness Walk. Armed with banners, many participants wore purple to show solidarity, as they walked through the streets of the community, echoing sentiments condemning acts of forms of child abuse.
At the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, a programme was staged which included a health talk by Nurse Colwyn Allen, as well as speeches by ChildLink officers from Georgetown, Deputy Regional Executive Officer Maylene Stephen and representatives of the Education Ministry. Organiser of the event, Lester Glen told Guyana Times he was pleased with the turnout and immense support shown by the community, Government agencies, post- secondary institutes, the Private Sector and non-governmental organisations. He further stressed the importance of awareness on issues such as child abuse.
“The turnout was great. Thousands came out again to support the walk against child abuse. Through careful consideration, deliberation and research it has been proven that an above normal rate of children are abused in various forms. However it is our hope that through awareness and education, victims and communities will feel a sense of support in breaking the silence and there will be interventions by law, and further, physiological through social protection policies,” Glen said.
He also extended special thanks to participating schools across Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice), the Regional Democratic Council and numerous businesses that supported the initiative.
“I would have recognised the flaws for this year, so next year will be bigger and better,” Glen promised.
