THE United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), advancing its partnership with the Guyana Legal Aid Clinic (CLAC),has donated $3M to the latter to help provide free legal assistance to all children who are in contact with the law and require such services.
UNICEF Representative in Guyana and Suriname, Dr. Suleiman Braimoh handed over the cheque, at his Brickdam, Georgetown office, yesterday to Ms. Josephine Whitehead, Director of the beneficiary organisation.
Witnessing the presentation were the clinic’s attorneys-at-law, Ms. Jaya Manickchand and Mr. Kevin Mada Kissoon.
Braimoh said UNICEF is very impressed with the work the Clinic has been doing and is pleased about the partnering, which recognises and is committed to the belief in the right of the child to legal services. 
But he remarked that the burning question has always been just how many children and their caregivers, who need legal services, actually get it.
The diplomat commented that there is need for an expansion of the very good work being done by the Clinic and it is in that context that UNICEF has initiated its timely intervention.
The services to be provided are not just in office or in court, Braimoh pointed out but will include outreaches that would have a tremendous impact and he assured that UNICEF is eagerly looking forward to the collaobration.
Meanwhile, Whitehead who officiated in the absence of Legal Aid Clinic Chairman, Senior Counsel Ashton Chase, said they are deeply appreciative of support received over the years.
She assured that the funding now received will enable the clinic to expand its services and ensure that all children in need are provided with free legal assistance.
Attorney-at-law Whitehead said that the Children’s Legal Aid Clinic also provides social services and networks with a number of governmental and non-governmental organisations in providing them, as well.
She said, in an effort to advertise and sensitise the public to the availability of children’s services, the clinic has developed some simple public service announcements to be aired via the electronic media. 
Whitehead said she is also looking forward to assistance from the media in publicising some of the announcements free of charge, in order to ease the likely financial burden associated with getting the messages across to the listening public.
She expressed hope that the Juvenille Justice Bill, drafted some time ago, will be enacted soonest.
Manickchand noted that the bill will, among other things, raise the age at which young people can be remanded to prison. She said what the Clinic is aiming to do is prevent children being sent to jail.