THIRTY-EIGHT women are now participating in an Early Childhood Development Workshop (ECDW) facilitated by the Office of the First Lady, in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Protection, which prepares them to become more nurturing mothers and caregivers for young children.

According to a press statement from the Ministry of the Presidency the workshop was launched Monday at the Guyana Nurses Association (GNA), in Georgetown and will be held in three parts, including First Aid. “The workshop, which is the first of its kind aims to equip women with the basic information and skills in early childhood development and nurturing care practices for the healthy growth and development of the young child,” the press statement said.

Speaking at the launching ceremony First Lady Sandra Granger commended the participating women and encouraged them to make the best of what they will learn.

“I applaud your courage in coming [for the training] and in recognising that even though you might have been in the profession, that there’s always something new to learn. I would hope that on completion of the workshop that you will go back to your respective communities better equipped, more confident and ready to care for our children,” the First Lady said.

Mrs. Granger pointed out that she made a decision to host the workshop after recognising that women often times, are the parent tasked with most of the childcare responsibilities for young children.

The statement said the Early Childhood Development Workshop is one of several projects spearheaded by Mrs. Granger and is aimed at enhancing the lives of children, youth and women by providing opportunities for empowerment through education.

Facilitator of the workshop, Ms. Paulette Bollers was pleased with the high number of participants with early childhood being most important period of development in a human life.

“It is also the most ideal period to stimulate children so that they can reach their fullest potentials. Young children are in their most important developmental stage of life. Therefore what they learn during those crucial years will influence them for the rest of their lives,” Bollers said.

Participants drawn from Buxton Day Care Centre, Women Across Differences (WAD), Luisgnan/Good Hope Learning Centre, John’s Bosco Orphanage, Sophia and the Central Islamic Organisation of Guyana’s Georgetown district, expressed gratitude and confidence that the workshop will augment their parenting and childcare skills, the statement said.

Sandra Khan, a teacher, said, “I decided to participate in this workshop to do better parenting and to go back into my community and share whatever information I have learnt in the workshop because we deal with a lot of students at the Lusignan-Good Hope Learning Centre … sometimes they are kind of difficult to handle, but with this workshop, I think, I will have more confidence and courage to do it.”

Another participant, Adriana Chappelle from Women Across Differences (WAD), said she believes the skills acquired will help her become a better parent. “The organisation I represent is for teenage mothers and as a teenage mother I think it is very important for you to understand the development of your child,” Chappelle said.

A freshman Biology student at the University of Guyana, Quemella Dodson stated, “I just wanted to acquire knowledge of childcare so I decided to come on board because I’ve always loved children and I really want this certificate because … one day I will open my own daycare and I can care for kids”.

The Ministry of the Presidency said participants who fulfilled the requirements of all three components of the workshop will be certified in the end.