–to help adults understand the role they should play in protecting nation’s children

LINDENERS, on Friday, joined the rest of Guyana in observing Childcare and Protection Week 2020, under the theme, ‘Protecting Children and Empowering Families to cope with the Global Pandemic’, with a parade and impressive ‘street theatre’.

The parade, which was steered by the Linden Constabulary Orchestra, began on Republic Avenue, Linden and concluded at the Washer Pan Road with the ‘street theatre’, which consisted of a dance done by members of the Epic Dynamic Dance Group.
The dance group, made up of youths, was dressed in t-shirts with messages on them, such as, “Support me”, “Love me”, “Inspire me”, “Protect me”, “Listen to me”, and “Guide me”, which are all roles adults should play in shaping society’s children.

According to Cameal Jeffrey, Childcare and Protection Officer attached to the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, the activity, which is held annually, was held in an attempt to increase awareness and understanding of the importance of primary prevention to reduce child abuse and neglect in the society.
She said, “Child abuse is something we want to stamp out. We know that there are still persons who continue to turn a blind eye to matters that are affecting children in our society, so we are here to send a message; children need to be protected, guided, loved and directed.”

Jeffrey added that protecting the nation’s children is not just the Childcare and Protection Agency’s business, but it is everybody’s business and responsibility; this is the core principle the organisation is instilling into the public.

Back in June of this year, Ayo Dalgety-Dean, Founder and Managing Director of Blossom Inc., a children’s charity, told the Guyana Chronicle that there has been an increase in reported child sexual abuse cases, which may very well be as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you know of a child who is being abused, you are advised to contact the Childcare and Protection Agency’s hotline on telephone number 2270979 or 6231783.