Over 26,000 shoes distributed to hinterland children

Some 26,086 pairs of shoes were distributed to children in hinterland and riverine communities by the Education Ministry under its ‘Footwear Programme’ initiative.

This initiative is in keeping with the Ministry’s overall mandate to ensure that all citizens of Guyana are given the best possible opportunity to achieve their full potential. Some $29 million were expended by Government to acquire the shoes for the children.

The Ministry commenced distribution of the 26,000 plus pairs of footwear in June to some 231 hinterland communities in the 10 administrative regions of Guyana. Some of the communities to benefit from the Footwear Programme include Canal Bank, Matthews Ridge, Chinese Landing, and Wallaba in Region One (Barima-Waini); Kabakaburi, Kackney, Ulele and Jacklo in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam); and Caria Caria, Fort Island and Lower Bonaskia in Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara).

St Cutbert’s Mission, Long Creek, and Laluni in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica); Biaboo, Augsburg, and De Hopp in Region Five (Mahaica-Berbice); Orealla, Bara Bara, and Leeds in Region Six (East Berbice-Coretyne); and Mineperu, Philipai, and Kaian in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) also received dozens of shoes from the Ministry.

Meanwhile, communities such as Chenapou, Mahdia, and Micobi in Region Eight (Potaro-Siparuni); Katoka, Nappi, and Baitoon in Region Nine (Upper Takatu-Upper Essequibo); and Kwakwani, Mabura, and Bamia in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) also benefited from the initiative.

According to the Education Ministry, the shoes have already been delivered and distributed to the communities.

In aid of its efforts, the Education Ministry received approximately 3000 shoes from the United States Embassy in Georgetown through its Humanitarian Assistance Programme.