– in Albouystown

FOUR female attorneys-at-law formally agreed last week to throw their collective weight behind the Guyana Police Force in support of its Project Impact Albouystown, even as the project continues to gain momentum. The deal was sealed after the women met with ‘A’ Division Commander, Mr. Clifton Hicken; Impact Project Coordinator, Mr. Wayne DeHeart, one of the two parents, and one of the children they propose sponsoring, through their respective law firms.
With the help of the police in the selection process, the legal minds agreed to stand the educational and other school-related expenses of two children from the Albouystown Ward for a period of two years. The attorneys at reference are Kim Kyte-John; Sharon Small; Fay Barker; and Tanya Warren-Clement.
Only one parent and one child were present last week when the announcement was made, as the Police were having trouble getting in touch with the other child’s parents, in spite of their being aware of the selection and committed to accepting the offer.
Speaking on behalf of the ladies, one of the lawyers explained that the reason they decided to come on board with Project Impact Albouystown was that they realised that it was a step in the right direction the police had taken by engaging children, parents and the communities at large.
It was pointed out that after the sponsorship will have run its course, each child will be assessed, and, based on the findings, a decision will be taken as to the way forward.
The lawyers said that they are prepared for the challenge, and that they have no ceiling or flooring with respect to the amount of assistance they give to the two children during the two-year period, once it is related to their schooling.
The work of the police, through the project, is appreciated by the lawyers, it was noted, and according to the women, they fully understand what the police are trying to do, and that it only goes to show that there are many other ways of fighting crime other than the traditional one.
The lawyers believe that the Impact Project is just another way of giving young people an alternative life, and that just supporting it by giving lip service is not good enough, hence the initiative to sponsor the children.
The Guyana Chronicle was told by the lawyers that their support is not just for the Albouystown project but any other project of a similar nature, since they all go a far way since it catches the young people before they go down the wrong road. The women are already offering free legal services through the legal aid clinic.
Meanwhile, the mother of the child, who was present at the formalising of the initiative, related that she was very delighted to have received the assistance, since it is usually hard on her to send the three out of the five children she has to school.
She related that she has been playing the single-parent role for some time now, and appreciates the work being done by the police and the lawyers to assist her.

(By Leroy Smith)