High expectations and a sense of belonging

CHRISTMAS is in the air and with a visit to the children of the Joshua House Children’s Centre (JHCC) one would immediately get the impression that something good is coming down.

In an exclusive interview with the centre’s Administrator, Gladys Accra, the Pepperpot Magazine was told that Christmas for the children of the JHCC is not just the day, but is observed for the entire season.

“The children really love it; they look forward with much enthusiasm because it is a time when many give them all sorts of treats, toys and all the good things that come with the celebration of the entire season,” she said. “At the same time, we want to let people who show such love and concern for these children, not only at Christmas time but throughout the year, know that we are truly grateful; we could not do it without them,” she noted.

Accra said that even before the close of school, the children of JHCC begin to sense the joy; begin to feel the satisfaction of the goodwill that such a season has to offer. This, she said, is mostly because of the different organisations and individuals who may remember to stop by; to take presents or even arrange to take the children out for treats at Christmas.

SERVICE TO THE JHCC
Accra, who has been serving children of the centre for more than 25 years, told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is truly grateful to God for giving her such a privilege.

She explained that her late husband, Clifford Accra introduced her to the JHCC when he brought her and their five children to Guyana from the Dominican Republic in January 1992. She said that by 1994 she was asked to assist at the centre, which she was very happy to do and is still there, even after her husband died.

“At the time, the JHCC was in need of a lot of improvements; I saw that the home needed more of everything and so I started to think – I made a plan; prayed to God; then through different workshops, especially through UNICEF and the Child Protection Unit, I was able to get training, which helped me to get the capability to get organised and to really help the children,” she said. “I had the knowledge as a mother of five – one boy and four girls, but now this was a totally different type of situation with different children, even though I always see the children like my children and try my best at all times to treat them that way,” she offered.

NUMBER AND AGES VARY
Accra stated that the number of children in the JHCC varies from time to time. She noted that such numbers range from 65-70. Currently, they have 45 children in the home. There are 18 girls and 27 boys, with their ages ranging from six years old to 17 years of age; many of them are in primary school and some others are in secondary schools.

She said that children who pass through different sad situations; abandonment, neglect and different other situations all form part of the home. These children come from different parts of Guyana – in other words, they represent every part of Guyana, she noted.

Education very important
Accra said that when a boy or girl from the JHCC attains the age of 18 years of age they are required to find other means of accommodation, even though they are not instantly thrown out on the road.

“It is for this reason that we really try to help and encourage them to do their best at school, or where they may not be that academically inclined to get involved in some type of skill-training, so that they can become better equipped for the world of work,” she said. “Once they are able to maintain themselves then they should be able to either pay for a place to stay or in some cases, parent(s), family members or others might be willing to have them stay with them.”

Furthermore, she stated that in general, the JHCC is always happy to see children coming out of the home become very successful and that they are able to apply their knowledge or skill to make the best of their lives after leaving. So far, she said, they are very pleased with the success of some of the children. The building of a career path for each and every child who happens to be part of the home is what is very important, she said.

CHRISTMAS TREE
Accra said that early on Christmas morning, the children of the home are awakened to gather around the Christmas tree, where each and every one of them receives a gift. She said that with the help of the older ones and staff, gifts are wrapped for all the children and then placed under a large Christmas tree.

“I do not think that some of them even sleep on Christmas Eve – they are so happy; overjoyed with expectation for the day’s activities. The thing is that you feel happy when you see their happiness – the joy of the children is also my joy,” she stated.

Most of all, Accra emphasised that even though they are never hungry, one thing that the JHCC wants for them is to be hungry for success in life.

FOUNDERS
The Joshua House Children’s Centre (JHCC) commenced operations in Guyana in 1977 in Subryanville, when a small group of members from the Unification Church rescued some children from what they considered to be unstable home situations. However, as the situation increased, the then church leader P. Barbara Burrowes-Van Praag, along with other church members, officially started a centre for the underprivileged children of the society in the latter half of 1977.

Soon after and until 1985, the JHCC continued to experience a complete transformation from what was once a three-storied family house in the midst of dense vegetation to its present two flat and double tailored, double lot surroundings. This provided some amount of space for the children to have outdoor activities such as a basketball court, swing and slides, as well as other recreational facilities. There is even availability of space for a little kitchen garden. The centre is now located in Thomas Street, Georgetown. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)