Gladys Accra and her journey as a ‘mother of many’

IT’S Mother’s Day and once again and the children at Joshua House, Thomas Street, North Cummingsburg, are raising voices to jointly wish to their mothers and the Administtrator of Joshua House, Gladys Accra, a Happy Mother’s Day.

Accra, who hails from the Dominican Republic and is married to a Guyanese, apart from being the proud biological mother of five, has over the last 25 years, literally mothered hundreds of Guyanese children with whom she’s developed a close mother/child relationship.

The couple arrived in Guyana in 1992, after spending some time in the Dominican Republic, Italy, Puerto Ricco and other countries.

And while today is Mother’s Day, it is also the 25th year or Silver Jubilee of Gladys Accra being at the helm of ‘Joshua House’ the facility she has served with distinction, molding and nurturing children between the ages of 4 to 18, seeing them grow to maturity and taking up responsible positions in society.
But modest as she is, ‘Aunty Gladys’, as she is fondly called, does not look to them to bestow her with gifts of flowers. On the other hand, she proposes an amazing gift from her to them, and that is: “A double portion of love”, ever conscious of the need for love as a stabilising force in their lives.

In fact, as Accra admits, during last year she received one of the most recognised gifts she has ever received since being on the job. That gift was the Medal of Service award conferred on her for commendable service at Joshua House, presented by none other than His Excellency, President David Granger.

How it began

Soon after their arrival here, as members of the ‘Church of the Unification’, Accra assumed responsibility for the care of children at Joshua House. Doing it with passion and fervour she ministered to their spiritual, educational, psycho-social and other basic needs such as the need for food, safety, love, and self–esteem.

“They were asleep when I walked in, and the minute I saw the children my heart went out to them and I thought there must be something I could do for them, so I discussed it with my husband.” Soon after, she was asked to be an administrator of the programme, to which she readily agreed. At that time the Accras were residing at the high-end Lamaha Gardens, but this new responsibility necessitated a change, their taking up residence at the Thomas Street facility on Thomas Street (though in their own Quarters) – which of course her children did not like. “But I had to do as God inspired me,” Accra said.

Once they had settled in, everything went well, with herself and husband being like mother and father of the home. “The intention was for us to live like a family. We conditioned them to be open to discussing any problems they had with us; speak the truth and essentially have a relationship that was built on mutual love and respect,” Accra said, conceding: “Children do have problems and we, as a family can help them.”

However, she said, it is important that wherever possible the child’s biological parents visit the institution and establish a relationship with the administration. The children at the home, Accra says, usually come through the Ministry of Social Protection’s ‘Child Protection Agency’ so that the Ministry will easily be able to trace them should the need arise. They are also assigned Welfare Officers or Case Workers from the Ministry who monitor them.
Positive relationship

In retrospect, the Administrator recalls, it was not very long before her children developed a positive relationship with the children at Joshua House. Her five biological children were very caring and supportive of the orphans. “You should see them. My daughters helped comb their hair and helped them with grooming; helped them with their homework whilst my eldest son would take them swimming. Then some nights my husband would have movie night here on the premises and serve them popcorn and the like. But all in all, there was time for sports and social activities which made them well rounded,” she said.
At the centre, there has never been a dull moment, and while it seems that it was only yesterday, the time has certainly flown. The children have all grown – those in the programme as well as Accra’s children. “ From little children attending St. Margaret’s Primary; Saint Agnes Primary and Play Schools, they have moved on; attended the University of Guyana and graduated, making us proud. One is now a medical doctor; another a pharmacist; a Theatre Nurse; an Architect and another still – in the field of Public Communications,” Accra said, with an air of satisfaction.

Likewise, it is always a joy when the children at the centre do well with their school work and move on to get decent jobs or return to their homes where they can be of help to their parents, she said, noting that they do not live at the centre forever.

The administrator cited a few cases of which she was particularly proud: one being a young man who attended and graduated from the University of Guyana, got himself a good job at a media house and soon after became married and is now living a stable life. Another went on to pursue a period of training at the Young Women’s Christian Association, whilst another is now trained and working as a staff at Joshua House itself.

Loving lessons
Expressing love for the job and having developed a close affinity for the children, Accra said, “At Joshua House, there is never a dull moment. Being here teaches you to be more patient, to get an open heart and to love more, because the children come from different backgrounds and you have to deal with them individually. I always say to the children, ‘If you have problems come to me and let’s talk. We all are human beings – none is inferior to the other. Do not curse; do not be abusive. We are a family. Let’s find a solution, not fight’.”

But essentially, it is a rule of thumb that the children should be respectful to staff as well their peers.

In offering a word of advice in relation to parenting, she affirms: “If you need to help a child, you have to be a friend to that child -not hostile. You have to set a limit. There are so many ways to demonstrate values to children,” she said. “At the same time, be aware of any negative examples you might be setting. You have to respect that child and demand that that child respects you. Even though you love that child, a line must be drawn somewhere.”