By Vanessa Braithwaite

RECOGNIZING the alarmingly high number of welfare issues in the mining town of Linden, the Region 10 Board of Guardians is seeking new ways to tackle the situation, inclusive of acquiring financial assistance in this regard.Chairperson of the body, Sandra Adams, says this upsurge in cases can be solved only if tackled from various angles. Adams told the Guyana Chronicle on Sunday that the body is currently working towards accessing funds to meet the needs of those seeking assistance, as the number of such persons is increasing.

She noted: “Linden, in particular, has a serious issue of welfare matters…we see, on a monthly basis, the number of issues coming before the Board for assistance in the area of welfare.”

COUNSELLING NEEDS
Adams said many persons seeking assistance are turned down, but the Board is of the view that the Government is obliged to take care of a child in the absence of one parent. Those who qualify for financial assistance will also receive counselling and, in some cases, assistance to build or complete a house.

Adams pointed out that those suffering with terminal illnesses such as HIV are also seeking assistance, and rather than just give these persons money, counselling should also be on the agenda. She revealed that a regional HIV committee used to collaborate with the Linden Care Foundation, and opined that this should be resumed.

“There’s something that has to be done regionally again. We are in a serious crisis, and especially here in Linden,” she said. “It’s a number of teams that have to come together to tackle this situation, but it is not a too-pleasant one here in Linden, especially…from health, welfare, education,” she disclosed.

Despite the tedious task ahead to curb this situation in Region 10, the newly-instituted Board of Guardians is determined to decrease the number of cases through various means.

This body was installed by Social Protection Minister Volda Lawrence to oversee issues relative to social services in Region 10. The Board consists of 11 members, comprising 6 from Linden, 3 from Kwakwani and 2 from Ituni. These members render assistance to social workers, and to probation and welfare officers relative to public assistance and social issues surrounding the welfare of children.

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

Public Assistance is a form of temporary financial assistance issued by the Government of Guyana to specific persons, including the aged, infirm, sick, destitute, and children below 14 years old. There are 28 such Boards across the country, all of which report to the Poor Law Commission, which also has responsibility for public assistance in Georgetown.