THE Ministry of Education has reported that the distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ $10,000 cash grant has concluded in most of the administrative regions. Distribution to eight locations in the hinterland and riverine communities has been delayed due to inclement weather among other minor unforeseen circumstances. Distribution to these areas is expected to be completed by Thursday, December 4. 

As of November 25, 2014, the Ministry has recorded a total of 135,347 ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 cash grant vouchers have been distributed. According to Western Union, on Sunday, November 23, 2014, their records indicate that a total of 131,075 vouchers have been encashed at their locations.
Meanwhile, in the areas where only cash was distributed, the Ministry has reported that it has distributed more than $277 M.

As the Ministry of Education continues its reconciliation processes to ensure that monies and vouchers are accurately accounted for, it advises parents to make every effort to encash their ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 vouchers by Sunday, November 30.

The ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 cash grant programme is meant to provide more support for parents with school age children and increase the disposable income of parents with school age children with a view to raising enrollment and attendance rates. This is in fact the first programme of its kind in the Caribbean and indeed anywhere else in this part of the world where every public school child is entitled to this benefit.

The ‘Because we Care’ $10,000 cash grant programme was launched on October 11, 2014 in Bartica, Region 7.