GOVERNMENT, in its much lauded countrywide roll-out of the ‘Because We Care’ education grant initiative yesterday launched the highly anticipated programme in Region Nine (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu), moreso in the immediate communities in and around the bustling Guyana/Brazil border township of Lethem.

Hundreds of residents packed the Benab in St. Ignatius, near Lethem, where the programme was launched by President Donald Ramotar and a high level government team that comprises Education Minister Priya Manickchand and Foreign Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett.
“It is indeed a happy occasion for me to be here to share these moments with you as we try to help our children and this initiative should be seen as another step in building our country and our country’s future,” President Ramotar told the large gathering.
Like he did at the launch of the ‘Because We Care’ initiative in the mining town of Bartica on October 11, the President reiterated that the current administration’s investment in the Guyanese people, via social sector initiatives, is a

manifestation of the long-standing principle of the ruling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) – development with a human face.
The president was emphatic in stressing that education is an investment in Guyana’s future, since it represents the foundation on which progress is advanced.
According to Minister Manickchand, more than $12M was distributed during yesterday’s event in St. Ignatius, with more than $500M distributed, so far, during the ongoing countrywide roll-out of the programme. Below are photos of yesterday’s event captured by Chronicle’s Senior Photographer, Adrian Narine. (Please see tomorrow’s edition for a comprehensive article)