11 orphanages secure financial aid under 5th edition of “Adopt-an-Orphanage” programme

The burden of meeting essential operational expenses will be eased for 11 orphanages across Guyana as they receive support through the fifth edition of the “Adopt-an-Orphanage” programme under the Office of the First Lady.
These institutions include Hope Children’s Home, Bless the Children’s Home, Save R Kids Children’s Home, St John Bosco Orphanage, A Sanctuary Children’s Home, Prabhu Sharan Orphanage, Shaheeds Boys Orphanage, Joshua’s House Children’s Centre, Ruimveldt Children’s Home, Shaheeds Girls Orphanage, and the Red Cross Children’s Convalescent Home.
Through sponsorship from various corporate partners, the homes will receive financial assistance to help offset the costs of electricity, water, telephone services, and other essential utilities.
First Lady Arya Ali, in her address during the signing ceremony on Thursday, stated that the programme seeks to relieve children’s homes of essential operating costs so they can focus more of their resources on improving the lives and well-being of the children in their care.
“I am proud to say that this initiative has grown beyond what I could have imagined. Today, because of your consistent generosity and support, we were able to provide children with access to comprehensive medical services, including general health check-ups, dental care, eye examinations, and free prescription spectacles, as well as counselling services to support their emotional and mental well-being. This initiative has evolved to address not only the children’s immediate needs but also their overall well-being and development,” she said.
According to the first lady, every child deserves moments of joy and celebration. As such, she said the initiative incorporates extracurricular and recreational activities aimed at enriching the lives of children in institutional care.
Ali noted that through backpack and school supply drives, movie nights at local theatres, visits to indoor recreational facilities, Easter kite-flying and Easter egg hunts, as well as excursions to various child-friendly attractions, the programme has sought to create opportunities for children to laugh, explore, and simply enjoy being children.
She further stated that the growth and expansion of the initiative reflect the power of collective action. Ali explained that the programme began by adopting eight orphanages during its first phase before expanding to 11 in the second phase.
Although nine orphanages participated during the third phase, support was restored to 11 homes in the fourth phase and has been maintained under the fifth phase.
According to Ali, these figures represent far more than statistics, as each number reflects a child whose life has been positively impacted through the generosity and commitment of the programme’s supporters.
Meanwhile, she noted that many of these children’s homes remain vulnerable without continued support, underscoring the importance of providing assistance where it is needed most.
“When we think of orphans, we often picture children who have lost both parents. However, the reality is far more complex. Many of the children residing in orphanages and care homes still have parents or extended family members. For various reasons and circumstances, they require temporary or long-term care and support outside of their family environment.”
The First Lady added, “Regardless of how they came into care, one thing remains clear: this group of children is among the most vulnerable members of our society. But they should not be defined by their circumstances. They deserve not only protection and care but also the opportunity to grow in an environment where they feel safe, valued, and supported. Providing that care, however, requires tremendous sacrifice,” Ali said.
She posited that the dedicated individuals and organisations that operate children’s homes work tirelessly every day to provide shelter, education, healthcare, emotional support, and stability. Yet, she mentioned that they continue to face significant financial challenges in sustaining these essential services.
Meanwhile, the Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Levine Gouveia, emphasised that the essence of the initiative is to create greater opportunities for children to reach their full potential.
“The programme reflects our shared commitment to protecting and nurturing some of the nation’s most vulnerable children and serves as a reminder that children’s well-being is not the responsibility of one individual but requires a collective effort,” Gouveia said.
She added that adopting an orphanage represents more than financial assistance, describing it as an investment in meaningful partnerships that help children heal, grow, and reach their full potential.