GRPA donates care packages to support teenage mothers

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Executive Director of the GRPA, Arlene Chaturia (left) hands over one of the packages to Adolescent Health Coordinator of the Unit, Cilandell Glen

he Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) on Monday donated over 180 care packages to the Adolescent Health Unit of the Health Ministry to support teenage mothers.
The packages were funded under Pillar Four of the Spotlight Initiative, which is a collaboration between the Government of Guyana, the European Union (EU) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to bring an end to gender-based violence (GBV).
“We are very pleased to donate COVID-19 financial packages to teen mothers and we think this will go a long way in providing assistance to teen mothers, especially through COVID-19 which has seen an increase in GBV cases among our young girls and mothers,” Executive Director of GRPA, Arlene Chaturia stated.
However, Adolescent Health Coordinator, Cilandell Glen expressed similar sentiments, noting that the Unit was grateful for the timely donation. She explained that the packages came at an ideal time, as adolescent mothers may experience difficulties acquiring basic necessities for childbirth.
Glen further highlighted that the Adolescent Health Unit, through a partnership with the Education Ministry, usually distributes care packages to adolescent mothers, but they were not able to reach their target this year.
“This packages that you are giving us today, the 180 packages, will help us to reach a wider cross-section of our adolescent mothers,” she said.
The packages include baby wipes, disposable diapers, blankets, towels, baby soap and masks.