– to grandparents trying to raise children left behind by their offspring

MANY grandparents have taken on the role of parents in the lives of their grandchildren, and have worked valiantly to provide for and nurture them as if they were theirs.

And this is exactly where family-oriented non-governmental organisation (NGO), ‘Carib Kids International’ comes in, as it has been making a valiant effort, since it was founded back in 2007, to make a difference in the lives of quite a few children.
Founded by Sondra Antoine and Lucy Daniels with the main aim of lending a helping hand to those grandparents and guardians of children whose parents are no longer with them, Joycelyn Bowman-Turner, who volunteers with the Group, told the Guyana Chronicle that they are currently helping over 18 families monthly, by way of either monetary contributions or providing school supplies such as school uniforms, backpacks and other essential school items.

She said that the aid is directed towards families with older guardians, since the administration of the group is aware that these persons may not be as spry as they once were, much less able to find a job, especially if they are above the retirement age. And this is one of the main reasons that the group decided that they would aid these persons, as they move forward, in making the lives of their grandchildren better.

“Our objective is to be supportive to grandparents and guardians of the children; to identify families in need, and find sponsorship to assist them, and all this while remembering that these children deserve the best opportunities that could be provided to them with our aid,” Turner said.

She said that the group’s ultimate goal is to help with the educational and social needs of those grandchildren that have been left behind by providing them with the necessary resources for school and their academic lives, as well as facilitate their transportation to ensure that they, being mere children, don’t have to worry about being able to get to and from school.
In addition, she said that the group aims to provide assistance with medical care for the children, as they have been doing over the years for children who have special medical needs, and ensuring that those families have the support to get them the necessary medical care that they may require.
She stated that based on referrals received by the organisation, the administration is able to select families that would be best suited to receive assistance. She said that besides forging strong ties with vulnerable families, ‘Carib Kids’ doesn’t work in a vacuum, as it has cultivated a working relationship with the Ministry of Education; the Child protection Agency; and the National Care and Treatment sector.
Turner stated, too, that the group has been able to be of significant help to many families in this COIVID-19 season, especially since many of the breadwinners have lost their jobs.

In those cases, she said that in addition to the monthly cash contributions, the group has been able to help those families with two sets of hampers, replete with food and other household items, and is in the process of preparing to make a third distribution in October.

‘Carib Kids’, Turner said, works to not just provide items for the families, but to also show the children and their guardians that they’ve got their backs, and in keeping with that, the group organises various activities throughout the year, including Fun Days, so as to ensure that during the times of rest and relaxation and celebration, the children and their families have the opportunity to be a part of it.