The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security is determined to ensure that children have access to space where their voices can be heard and where they are free from abuse. The Ministry, along with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has collaborated with several organisations with already established children care points to offer guidance and support to orphans and other children in vulnerable circumstances.
Assistant Chief Probation and Social Services Officer, Marva Williams, told the Government Information Agency (GINA) that child care points exist in all but two of the ten administrative regions.
She disclosed that except for Regions Three and Seven, the Ministry has identified child care points across the country.
“We have not come across any in Regions Three and Seven, but we will be visiting Bartica to see exactly what’s happening there,” she said.
Williams revealed that the Ministry will continue working to encourage and train volunteers to undertake the task of caring for underprivileged children.
She noted that there are many orphans in Guyana and organisations are willing to receive aid and assistance through the support of UNICEF.
Almost two months ago, a workshop was held to educate Social Workers, Child Protection, Probation and Welfare Officers on establishing Children Care Points in various communities across the country.
Williams said the Ministry is putting systems in place to reach those who appear unreachable.
She applauded those men and women who assist the ministry in fulfilling its mandate by dedicating their lives to the protection of women and children.
Orphans and vulnerable children are only part of the challenges. There are many children who are not orphans and who cannot be classified as vulnerable  but may still have developmental issues.
Child protection involves many facets, including healthcare, education and basic survival needs which can be achieved through integrated approaches that cut across all service sectors.
UNICEF’s Director of Child Protection, Doris Roos, said the UN is interested in having children in far-flung areas benefit from every service available to those in urban Guyana.
“We are concerned that children must get into and stay in schools, that they must be immunised. There must be a safe point in every community where children can come and speak up and are not only listened to. but are believed,” Roos said.
She lamented the fact that young boys in today’s society have few role models and caregivers lack the requisite information to refer and deal with abused children.
Roos challenged the officers to maintain a reputation that is respectful and seek clients who may be prevented from accessing help.(GINA)