THE final year Social Work students of the University of Guyana (UG) have embarked on a vacation programme to last for a three-week period at the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre.

The aim of the programme is to foster personal development of all children attending the centre through academic sessions.

This ground-breaking initiative was spearheaded by students Zaida Salim, Ira Ali and Maria Mursalin, in collaboration with the centre’s tutor, Ms. Jessica Hatfield, all of whom worked tirelessly to benefit the children of the community and to make them successful individuals who would serve their community in the future.

The UG students engaged the children in various sessions, targeting literacy; awareness of children’s rights; all forms of abuse; morality; hygiene, and health education. The students have been facilitating and empowering the children through positive self-imaging, respect and teamwork.

Also as part of their project, the students had to assess the needs of the Centre and provide care packages and school supplies; hence they handed over a number of items, inclusive of books, pencils, sharpeners, crayons, erasers, pencil cases, rulers, glue sticks, folders and personal care packages; including bars of soap, tooth brushes, toothpaste and wash cloths.

Alongside these items were also confectionery and toys.

Moreover, the UG students allowed the children to recap and display what they had learnt during the course of the programme, and afterwards provided the children with a hot meal and gifts to show their appreciation.

And at the closing ceremony held last Monday, nearly 50 youths gathered at the Ruimveldt Children’s Aid Centre to be lectured on the importance of team work and unity within the community.

Given that school has been closed for the August vacation, the children needed to be engaged in activities to stimulate their minds; hence this programme was most timely.

(By Shivanie Sugrim)