“It is not easy, but the grant will assist to provide more care” – parents

 – as Govt rolls out cash grant for children living with disabilities

The Government’s cash grant programme for children living with disabilities is changing the lives of parents who are finding it difficult to provide care and other medical services for their children.

On Friday, the Government initiative saw parents receiving a total of $100,000 from the Human Services and Social Security Ministry at the La Grange Masjid, West Bank Demerara (WBD).
Ramanre Balwang, a mother of one, expressed gratitude for the initiative while adding that it will assist greatly to provide for her child, who attends the special needs school at Schoonord, WBD.
She explained that it is not easy to look after a child living with a disability, but insisted that with the right form of Government assistance – which is now being offered – it is manageable.
Balwang noted that she is not working currently and cannot afford the additional expense to hire an at-home babysitter. She further related that she spends her time managing her child reasonably well.
“So, I try my best to manage with him and I want him to get better, that’s why I took the initiative to be at home,” she explained while stating that the cash grant is timely.
“Well, I’m so happy and thankful. And I hope that the parents make use of it because it’s a good initiative that the Government is doing. Because having a special needs child is not easy, and at least the grant will help us.”
Another relieved parent, Tracy Pariaug, lauded the initiative, highlighting how it would help many parents to cope with certain situations.
“I would like to thank the Government and our President for this investment and grant to special needs. We are looking forward for more investments and resources for special needs. This grant will go a long way because taking care of a special need is very expensive. This grant will go a long way. Thank you so much,” she said.

Addressing concerns
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud was at the location and assured the parents and guardians that the Ministry is working relentlessly to assist.

For persons who have yet to uplift their monies, Minister Persaud noted if their names were not on the first list, they will be on the second list and provided the locations for disbursement.
Dr Persaud also listened to other concerns of the parents and guardians about the challenges they face daily with the provision of care for their children living with disabilities.
“We’re also looking at training people to provide day and night care. I know that people who look after children with special needs, sometimes you get very tired because it’s very challenging. So, when we open day and night care services, those persons who run them will be trained,” the Minister added.
Further she stated, “So, that you can leave your children safely, get a little break, and come back and get them. I know these are simple things but they are big things for you. And we’re also looking at easy access to support aides – if you need wheelchairs…hearing aids. All of those things, just reach out to our Ministry and we’ll provide them free of cost.”
Dr Persaud also told the parents that diapers will be provided for the special needs children.
The special needs one-off cash grant is part of the Government’s manifesto commitment to provide support to vulnerable groups.
To further provide support to persons living with disabilities, the Government is building an institution called the learning lab for them to be upskilled. From the budgetary allocation to the sector, new and improved healthcare facilities will be built to help persons living with disabilities, among other things.