THOUSANDS of children from diverse backgrounds turned out in their numbers yesterday at the Botanical Gardens to participate in the final activity planned in observance of Child Protection Week (CPW) 2011.

This year’s week of observances was celebrated under the theme, ‘Community Partnership for Child Protection’, and focused on inviting members of the communities at large to come on board to work at bringing an end to child abuse.

Yesterday’s event saw children from all across the country displaying their various talents, along with several local artistes from the local recording company, Kross Kolor Records.

The event, a collaborative effort between the Human Services Ministry and the Child Care and Protection Agency, was organised with the aim of encouraging parents to spend quality time with their children, and reviving a family value that has long been lost.

According to Child Protection Services Director, Ms. Ann Greene, for the entire week, the Agency was hard at work raising awareness on the subject of child protection.

“This is the climax that we were aiming to have. We did it in a way to bring all the families out; bring out the values of family, and ensuring families have the opportunity of spending quality time with their children,” Greene said.

Noting the importance of children spending quality time with their parents and guardians, Greene said: “You have to set aside quality time to be with your children.”

Also speaking with the Guyana Chronicle was Deputy Director of Children Services, Ms. Teresa Gaime, who observed:
“Child Protection Week brings together the various organizations and groups that have been working over the years to eliminate this issue, in keeping with this same theme of raising awareness in the general public…,”

She said that so far, some 15 outreaches have been held in several areas across the country, whereby discussions were held with families and children affected by abuse and other issues that may have a negative impact on their lives.

She said that presently, an analysis is being carried out to ascertain how much progress these workshops have impacted on the lives of children.