SOME 2,000 of the 2, 264 households in Region Two have already received the Government of Guyana COVID-19 $25,000 cash grant in Phase Two of the project. The grant was made available to those persons who were part of multi-family households, and had registered during the last distribution exercise. Many Essequibians had filled up the “pink slip” after they were unable to access the grant. On that query form, they had to indicate that they were part of a family living with another family, or families under the same roof.

This was disclosed by the region’s Coordinator, Iqbaul Khan, who said that distributors are working assiduously to ensure that the process is smooth and transparent.  Thus far, over 230 persons from the Good Hope/Pomona Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC); 247 from Annandale/Riverstown NDC; 172 from Abderdeen- Zorg-en-Vlught; 733 from Three Friends to Walton; 210 from Charity/Ursara; 210 from Evergreen/Paradise NDC; 93 from the Upper Pomeroon; 110 from Lower Pomeroon; and 75 from Mainstay/Lima Sands.

Khan said staffers who worked during the first phase are back on task for the second phase, and noted that so far, there has been no major hiccup, and many persons are thankful. One such person is Kumarie Persaud, of Three Friends Village, who is living with her parents. Persaud, who uplifted her money at the Anna Regina Town Council, said the staffers there were very courteous, and that she will be using the money to send her children to extra lessons.

At Mainstay, another beneficiary, Marry Williams said she was excited to get her COVID-19 cash grant. She related that she had been checking the media to find out when the dates would be published. Williams lost her job due to the pandemic, and she is thankful for the grant, which will help purchase groceries for her family. At Charity, Lewis James was overjoyed after receiving his $25,000. James is living with his parents, but cooks separately. He has four children, and all the monies he uplifted will be expended on them. Regional Executive Officer, Devanand Ramdatt had said that the region received $50,600,000 from the Bank of Guyana for the recommencement of the second-phase COVID-19 cash grant. Many Essequibians have expressed gratitude to the Government of Guyana for this timely initiative.