COGNISANT of the effects that the novel coronavirus has had on the entire world, especially vulnerable groups of people, the University of Guyana (UG) Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit, Master of Social Work Students, under the auspices of PACE, has offered Educational support to the children in institutional care under the supervision of the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).

The coronavirus also known as COVID-19, which is highly contagious, has so far seen millions of deaths recorded worldwide and has quickly plunged economies, society, public health systems, schools and residential care facilities into a state of depression.
As a response to the virus, public health emergency measures took effect and saw the closure of schools, physical distancing and “lock-down” to prevent the contagion and limit the outbreak.

Consequently, the lives of children in residential care have been altered and a demanding stress-coping-adjustment process is ongoing.
To assist, meaningfully, the University of Guyana, Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit Master of Social Work and Undergraduate Students, on Friday, made a timely donation of four flash drives containing 18 educational presentations and activities for the CPA to use in engaging the children who are housed at care facilities during the health crisis.

During the handing over of the educational materials, sincere gratitude was extended to the 11th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof. Paloma Mohamed for her staunch support and guidance, the Head and members of the Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit, and UNICEF for their kind contribution of the Flash drives.

WGratitude was also extended to the Director of Children Services, Ms. Ann Greene, Assistant Director of Children Services, Ms. Tionna October, and the Manager of the Care Centres, Ms. Melissa Gentle of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection, for collaborating with the University of Guyana on the initiative to facilitate education, using Information technology with the children in residential care during this unprecedented time of COVID -19.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you was extended to all the Master of Social Work and undergraduate students, for their well put-together presentations which contributed to the success of the initiative.