– spectacles, wheelchairs, $100K disability cash grant distributed
Hundreds of residents of Kwakwani in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) have benefitted from an outreach hosted by the Human Services and Social Security Ministry.
Dr Persaud sharing a light moment with a resident who received spectacles for the first time
On Friday, November 4, at the Workers’ Recreational Centre,
approximately 64 residents between eight and 90 years old received spectacles for the first time, at no cost, through the Ministry’s Difficult Circumstances Unit (DCU) and Miracle Vision Care
One of those recipients, 86-year-old Rachel Vanlewin, related that it feels good to finally have a clearer vision. As such, she thanked the Ministry. “It feels comfortable and I see clear. Thank you so much,” she said.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud told the gathering, “This is part of the work the Ministry of Human Services does, and is part of our programme where we take our services to the community. Kwakwani is an important community, like any other in the country, so we brought the key services to each one of you.
Dr Persaud engaging some of the residents
“This Ministry deals with everybody: from families, women, men, boys, girls, persons living with disabilities; everybody. So, this Ministry tackles social issues, and from time to time, we would have received several reports involving children, domestic violence and elder abuse, so the theme today is an extensive one.”
The Unit also provided wheelchairs, crutches, walking canes, and hampers to persons living with disabilities in the area.
Joyce Primo, a pensioner living with a permanent disability, has said her life would be significantly improved with the receipt of her new wheelchair, as she is now able to move around freely in her community.
During the engagement, children living with permanent disabilities also received Government’s $100,000 one-off cash grant.
Human Services and Social Security Minister Dr Vindhya Persaud addressing the residents at Kwakwani
Additionally, the community was educated on the Ministry’s initiatives to tackle domestic violence, including the toll-free 24-hour 914 hotline and Imatter App.
In this regard, Head of the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Unit, Dr Cona Husbands, said: “The outlying communities are often starved for information when it comes to these issues, even though they are faced with it (domestic violence). And as a department, we aim to give everyone everywhere the information that will make a difference in their lives.
“For instance, a lot of persons in the community were informed of the avenues available to seek help, including shelters, legal pro-bono, survivor advocates, and the community advocates’ network,” Dr Husbands said.
Meanwhile, the Childcare and Protection Agency also took the opportunity to interact with residents about issues affecting them in their respective communities.
