“Because We Care” cash grant: 10,324 students to benefit as initiative moves to Region 5

Over the next three days $196 million is scheduled to be distributed to 10,324 students in the Mahaica-Berbice region through the “Because We Care” cash grant initiative, which was launched in Region Five on Sunday at the Karamat Primary School located along the Mahaicony Creek.

This follows distributions in Regions Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) and the islands in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).
At the launching of the distribution in Region Five, Education Minister Priya Manickchand explained to parents that the grant is meant for each public school child and that the Government is exploring the possibility of having the programme extended to private schools.

The grant is valued at $19,000 which includes $15,000 from the “Because We Care” cash grant and $4000 from the uniform and school supplies grant.
She encouraged parents to use the money for the benefit of their children. She said that parents know best what the money can be used to purchase to benefit their children which is the reason why the Government chose not to limit parents on where they can spend the grant.
The Minister added that the grant is meant to give parents a helping hand to enhance the lives of their children and the home as most parents want to ensure their children can grow up under better conditions than they did and have more opportunities and achieving more in life.
According to Manickchand, the programme is one that shows the Government understands how difficult raising a family is and as such, wishes to support that process.
She noted that any good parent will ensure that the money is used effectively and can serve their children. Manickchand encouraged parents to continue working with their children so that they all can excel and do better.
“All your time has to be with them. If they need to study and to stay up the whole night, you must keep them company. We need you to support your children,” the Education Minister stated.
Regional Vice Chairman, Rion Peters said that he was happy to be a part of such an important and significant occasion. He commended the Government of Guyana and in particular the Minister of Education for ensuring that another promise is fulfilled. He said that the programme is a commitment by the Government to invest in the country and more so the people in Region Five.
Also spearheading the distribution in the region on Sunday was the Attorney General, Anil Nandlall. Students from 18 nursery, primary and secondary schools received their grants on Sunday in the region.

Region 3 islands
On Saturday, the Education Ministry said that $27.5 million in “Because we care” cash grant was distributed in the Essequibo Islands. More than 97 per cent of the grants for students were uplifted, the Ministry noted.
Manickchand told parents that the island of Leguan is on the rise and while Guyana will develop exponentially, the Government wants to ensure that citizens can benefit from the development.
She listed several projects that have occurred, are in progress and will be implemented on the island to improve the lives of residents. She said that currently there is an excavator on the island from the National Drainage and Irrigation Authority (NDIA) that is working to prevent flooding and damage to livestock and crops.
She said that washroom facilities have been installed at the post office particularly to benefit pensioners. Moreover, she said that the island has seen an investment of over $700 million in sea defence work. The Education Minister said that repairs have also been done to the doctors’ quarters to ensure healthcare professionals can be accommodated comfortably on the island.
In the area of agriculture, she said that the opening of the coconut nursery seeks to provide a means for residents to be self-sufficient and produce enough to even export.
While the Education Minister was at Leguan; Minister within the Public Works Ministry Deodat Indar was spearheading the distribution on the island of Wakenaam. Regional Chairman Ishan Ayube was visiting locations along the right bank of the Essequibo River and Member of Parliament, Dr Tandika Smith was doing likewise on the left bank of the said river.