FFTP joins effort to tackle educational disparities among vulnerable children

Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc and its in-country partner (ICP) Project New Nation have inaugurated a literacy programme tailored to address learners exhibiting signs of learning challenges. This programme was launched on April 30 at Byderabo in Bartica, Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
Speaking on behalf of Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc, Gifts-In-Kind manager Tabitha Barnwell underscored the organisation’s commitment to tackling educational disparities among vulnerable children, and said initiation of this project stemmed from a partnership proposal made by Project New Nation in October last year, which

outlined specific criteria for children that would be enrolled into the programme.
This programme targets children exhibiting signs of learning challenges and those experiencing difficulty in reading, and thus are achieving 40% and below academically.
“As Guyana undergoes transformative changes, prioritizing the educational preparedness of youth becomes paramount. Targeting children with identified learning challenges aligns with the overarching goal of achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4, which emphasizes inclusive and equitable quality education for all,” Barnwell underscored. She encouraged the programme’s participants to believe in their ability to achieve their goals through hard work and dedication, echoing the ethos of Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc – “Renewing Hope, Saving Lives, Transforming Communities.”

Head Tutor of Project New Nation, Jonnel Newton, highlighted the crucial role the literacy programme plays in addressing the unique needs of children with learning challenges. She said, “The literacy programme began because of the need that we saw in the community. With the help of Food for The Poor (Guy) Inc. and other sponsors, we’ve been able to launch yet another session of it. We (are) very grateful (to) all those persons that are giving these children the opportunity to show that they have the ability to do just as well as any other child. I am very grateful for the parents, as they have entrusted their children to us, and I ask that they continue to support them so that we can let these children show their true potential,” she expressed.
This initiative, which targets children from nursery to grade six, is tailored to address the educational needs of children facing learning challenges or disabilities by offering focused instruction in phonics, literacy, and mathematics. The launch of this literacy programme signifies a collaborative endeavour between Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc and Project New Nation to foster inclusive education and ensure access to quality learning opportunities for every child. Through this joint initiative, both organizations are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children in Byderabo and beyond.