MINISTER within the Ministry of Public Works, Deodat Indar, on Thursday, spearheaded the distribution of over $18 million to parents and guardians of Amelia’s Ward, Linden.
This is part of the Government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant programme and the School Uniform and Supplies Grant, which gives back $19,000 cash to each child in the public school system.
Thursday’s distribution took place at the Amelia’s Ward Primary and Nursery Schools, which have a registration of 948 pupils.
Minister Indar told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that “COVID-19 is tough. Everybody here is facing tough times. People need a little bit of extra help in whatever form.
“I believe that what should be said is that we keep our promises. We make a promise, we keep it. We focus on it to make sure that we deliver it and that is what we are doing today. We are delivering to the people of Region 10.”

Minister Indar, who was impressed by the turnout at the school, believes that the vaccination programme is critical to the reopening of schools. He added that there would be a level of assurance if parents knew that the teachers were fully-vaccinated and vice versa.
“The next challenge, apart from the cash grant and people receiving it and putting it to use, is to get school reopened, and

to get schools reopened we need to ensure that the adult population is vaccinated,” Minister Indar said.
Meanwhile, DPI spoke to beneficiaries of the cash grant to understand what it means for them.
Charles Mansfield, a father of five, explained how difficult it has been to secure a job in this pandemic. However, with the government’s cash grant, he said he would be able to provide for his children.

“We have started making preparations for the school term; buy school clothes and books for the children that they need. To turn out back to school. We are very grateful and we thank the government for this little cash grant that we have received.”
Mother of four, Vanilla Morison, also shared a story of financial challenges she has faced due to the pandemic.
“Well, unfortunately with the pandemic, my small business that I have has been closed now for a year and something because it is a shop in the school. My husband alone has been providing and it has been very challenging for me financially. With the cash grant, basically if school reopens, I will use it concerning supplies for the children.”
The government is investing some $3.2 billion for the cash grant programme, with approximately 72, 000 children in the public school system to benefit.