–with allocation of $50M, additional $34.3M to be acquired through fundraising efforts

PICKING up from the aggressive drive to physically transform and beautify spaces across Guyana, and foster social development, the Office of the First Lady will be continuing these efforts this year with an allocation of $50 million in Budget 2026 along with an additional $34.3 million set to be acquired through fundraising activities.
Addressing the Committee of Supply on Monday during the consideration of the estimates for Budget 2026, Minister Teixeira said that the total 2026 programme budget amounts to $79.3 million, with $50 million allocated for projects and programmes leaving a shortfall of $34.3 million.
The minister said this gap is expected to be bridged through fundraising events hosted by the First Lady, Arya Ali, including dinners and other activities designed to supplement the government’s subvention.
Among some of the specific projects for this year is the “adopt an orphanage” initiative, with a budget of $5.5 million. A range of children’s homes and orphanages are set to benefit.
These institutions will receive support aimed at improving care and services for children in institutional settings.
Minister Teixeira also highlighted that the menstrual hygiene initiative, launched more than two years ago, will continue in 2026. In addition, workshops on sexual and reproductive health are being rolled out in various communities, with $3 million allocated. The combined allocation for this component is $15.2 million, covering both product distribution and education.
PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
A key segment of the 2026 programme targets persons with disabilities, under an inclusivity initiative that provides counselling, guidance, and skills training.
Counselling services will be administered through the Guyana Council of Organisations for Persons with Disabilities, with 100 persons expected to benefit from guidance and skills support.
A further 120 persons with disabilities are to be trained at the Centre for Equity, Opportunity and Innovation at the Empower Guyana building in Palmyra, Berbice.
Training will be delivered in partnership with institutions including the Carnegie School of Home Economics, the Board of Industrial Training, the Small Business Bureau, and private instructors.
The project also provides assistive devices such as wheelchairs, hearing aids and canes, along with other support to improve independence and quality of life.
NATIONAL BEAUTIFICATION AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Another major line item is the National Beautification Project, which has $35 million assigned in the 2026 budget. This covers this construction and upgrading of children’s parks and public parks, installation of play sets and bins, general improvement of public recreational spaces.
Parks already under construction or planned include facilities at Okum Beach, Leguan (Region Three), Bath Settlement and Bush Lot (Region Five), Number 63 Beach (Region Six), Kato (Region Eight), and Wismar and Spikeland in Linden (Region Ten).
In addition, the project will extend financial assistance to vulnerable Guyanese, through the provision of backpacks, school supplies, children’s toys and hampers.