THERE are many disadvantaged children in Guyana who will not be opening Christmas presents this year or sitting down to tuck into a lavish meal this holiday season. Children in institutional care however, will at least be given the chance to attend a few Christmas parties and receive presents in the bargain.

Every year, the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), Ministry of Social Protection, ordered and supplied special treats for children in the various homes, such as nuts and grapes. Traditional foods such as black cake and pepperpot are also prepared and the children lend a hand in putting up decorations.

The Honourable Minister of Social Protection Ms. Amna Ally recently visited several homes to distribute presents to children as part of the festivities of the season. It is important for children to learn about the celebrations that make up our diverse culture in Guyana, as part of their development.

Of the 600 + children living in formal care, at least half of them have a relative who could be involved in their lives. A visit from a relative can do a lot to raise a child’s self-esteem and to show the child that he/she has not been forgotten. Family members can show an interest by sharing time with the child during the holidays or by taking the child shopping or out for the day. (Of course, obtaining access to children in care by relatives and/or family members will vary according to the child’s case and circumstances surrounding the care order that is in place.)

Most children in care, who could, do not receive any form of attention from their family members and many of them miss out on the warmth of a family: the individual attention that family members can give and the all-important ‘sense of belonging’ that every child needs. Some children grow into adults, without developing the fundamental elements that are needed to bond and connect socially and emotionally with others. There’s a strong possibility that this is due to experiences that they missed out on during their childhood.
This is one of the reasons why positive adult contact for developing children– especially contact with family members– is important. All children need to bond with someone, and the best person would be someone they can look up to and trust. In a perfect world, children would receive all the nurturing they need from the two responsible level-headed parents who bore them; but this is not a perfect world and children who live in institutional care especially, need more than the average child. Primarily, they need individual attention, care and understanding.

Regular visits from a family member can have far-reaching, positive effects on a child in care; as simple as the act may seem to a lay person, this type of contact will make a child feel good about him/herself and lift his/her spirits.

Regardless of how much effort is made by the CPA and staff members in the children’s homes to make this season cheerful and bright, for those children, nothing can take the place of being part of a family or spending quality time in the midst of people, such as foster parents, who care.

For them, sleeping in a family home in their own bed would be significant to their development and sense of well-being; and it would definitely help them to build a more positive self-image. Little things that might seem run-of-the-mill to everyday people, such as a family day out in the gardens, can give a child in care a major boost of confidence.
Charitable hands may be extended to children in care at this time of year, through gifts, food, outings and parties; but festivities also accentuate the fact that these children are not where they should be, which is, in the heart of a caring family. Children need caring adults in their lives to guide, protect and support them through their childhood. Are you in a position to offer assistance, not just for the season, but all year through? If so, you can call the Childcare and Protection Agency on 227 4082 or225 1117 during office hours to speak to a Child Protection Officer.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child you can ring the CPA hotline 227 0979 or email childcaregy@gmail.com

A Message from the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection