BRIGHT smiles lit up the faces of parents throughout the Pomeroon-Supenaam Region as the distribution of the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant and the uniform assistance began.

Over 12,584 learners in the region will benefit from this distribution, with more than $566 million expected to be infused into the local economy.

The distribution started on Tuesday and will conclude on Thursday, benefitting parents of children attending nursery, primary, secondary, and private schools.

Parents in Region Two turned out in large numbers to collect the cash grant and the voucher which together amount to $45,000.

Regional Education Officer, Shondelle Hercules, stated that the government, through the Ministry of Education, was committed to ensuring all school-aged children have equitable access to the country’s vast resources and programmes.

At Cotton Field Nursery, Pamela Kandai, a mother of two, expressed her satisfaction after receiving the financial assistance for her children.

“I am happy for this. This money will help improve my children’s lives, and I am thankful to the government for such an intervention,” Kandai said.

Another guardian, Sabitree Mohan of Fisher Primary School, collected $270,000 for her six grandchildren. She mentioned that her daughter plans to purchase mattresses and a bed for the children, as well as school items.

“My daughter will buy some items, after which she will take some money and buy a bed and mattresses for the children so they can sleep properly at night,” Mohan said.

A parent from Mashabo, Tiffany Williams, received the education grant for her three children. As a single parent, she expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Education for the assistance, noting that the money came at a crucial time.

The People’s Progressive Party reinstated the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant upon resuming office in 2020. The programme was initially introduced in 2014 but was discontinued by the previous APNU+AFC government. In 2021, private school students were included in the initiative for the first time.

Each child received $19,000 in 2021, an increase from the initial $10,000 per child. The amount was increased to $25,000 in 2022 and then to $35,000 in 2023 for each child in both private and public schools. This year, the cash grant has been increased to $40,000. Parents are also receiving an additional $5,000 for uniforms.