THE Child Care and Protection Agency realised its primary objective, of increased awareness, during the activities of the just concluded Child Protection Week.

But it will be pressing ahead to maintain the momentum as it looks to cater for the best interest of Guyana’s children, the Director, Mrs. Ann Green said.

In an interview with the Guyana Chronicle, she said the agency has been able to make the Guyanese public aware of child abuse and other issues affecting children while encouraging acceptance of responsibility as child protectors.

She said ‘Caring communities, raise caring children – Protect Them Now’ were not meant to be just a slogan for the observance programme but a steady reminder of the need to protect Guyana’s future.

“Citizens must see their responsibility towards children and do what they can to protect them,” Green maintained.

She said society should be able to see that protected children equal productive citizens, possible only if they are given opportunity to fulfill their potential in life.

In addition, to maintain the advantage, the agency’s mandate secured during the last week, other programmes will be propelled and intensified in some areas, Green said.

Citing the ongoing street exercise as one that will be heightened, she said it will be more vigorous in Regions Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/Berbice).

Green said the most recent incidents, of children with poems printed on sheets going to vehicles and soliciting money, constitute exploitation and those victims will be taken off the streets.

Prior to the establishment of the agency in July, the Child Protection Unit had started ‘Mission Child Protection’ to remove children from streets and put them into Government care.
Poverty
Green said another of the agency’s pursuits is the Parent Training Programme, to empower parents and families to help alleviate poverty.

She said that is continuing in all the Administrative Regions of Guyana and more staff is being recruited to bolster the drive.

Green said the foster care programme will be given special attention as the agency strives to place children in homes where they can and will be cared.

“We are not trying to take children away from their families but, where there is a problem, we have to find out what that is and work in the best interest of the child,” she explained.

That programme was introduced in February after approximately 18 months of planning and foster parents are expected to provide for the daily needs and care of a child, create a family environment that offers supervision, guidance, nurturing and discipline.

In that context, decisions in the child’s best interest for growth and development, are made by the foster parents.

However, the responsibility for the young person is assumed by the agency.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, Guyana has 23 children centres that house approximately 600. Of that number, at least 460 can be placed into foster care.

The agency is also to ensure that the minimum standards for orphanages and children’s homes are upheld and it has the mandate to implement policies and decisions in relation to the laws governing children; monitor child care facilities; intervene in cases where a child is abused or neglected and protect vulnerable children.