–to support project to reintegrate teenage mothers into the education system

By Vishani Ragobeer

THE Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA) on Wednesday received $1.2M from the Rotary Club of Georgetown to aid in a project to reintegrate teenage mothers into the education system.The project will give 50 girls a second chance to “face life with hope and joy”, said GRPA Executive Director, Patricia Sheerattan-Bisnauth.

She lauded the good gesture from the Rotary Club and said the GRPA also looks forward to working with the club to provide counselling to young girls and to shield them from the social ills of society.

This, she said would be useful as Guyana has the second highest rate of teenage pregnancy in Latin America and Caribbean (LAC), in addition to having a low rate of functional literacy and high rates of domestic and sexual violence.

Most girls who have become victims of teenage pregnancy, she said “end up in a cycle of poverty and abuse”, mainly because they are heavily dependent on others, especially men to provide for their child and themselves.

Because of this situation, Sheerattan-Bisnauth said they often fall prey to sexual predators.

But, she noted that girls who are able to complete a basic education are less likely to become pregnant, contract HIV and STIs, and are better able to take control of their lives and contribute to their families and communities.

The project to reintegrate the teen mothers into the education system aims to equip them with an education and skills, as well as to give them psychological support so that they will be able to pursue their dreams for a better future.

The girls will be instructed in areas such as sense of self, life skills, personal development and career guidance.

Counseling will also be provided to them and their families.