-cite financial relief, seamless distribution process, boost to children’s education ahead of new school year

PARENTS across Guyana are expressing gratitude for the government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant, as distribution got underway on Monday at schools nationwide and is set to continue throughout the week.

Mothers and fathers described the initiative as timely and impactful, with many already planning to direct the funds towards uniforms, textbooks, stationery, and backpacks in preparation for the new school year. Several parents noted that the grant eases the financial burden of back-to-school preparations, while others praised the increasingly seamless distribution process.

Parent and teacher at St. Winefride’s Secondary, Peggy Charles-Bynoe, noted that the grant will be dedicated to preparing her child for the school year ahead.

Speaking on the impact it will have on not just her child but the family, Charles-Bynoe added that the support of the grant now allows her to budget for other things.

“It is going to be a great relief to me in terms of not having to spend my own money. I can now budget for other things. Basically, his money goes towards shopping for his school things in preparation for the new school year,” she said.

Moreover, she cited the increase of the grant to $85,000 as a major benefit, adding, “Seeing that we have had the increase, and his wardrobe needs a little refurbishment, a little of it will also go towards buying a few pieces of clothing for him as well,” she added.

Another parent, Chitradevi Jattan, mother of a child attending J.E. Burnham Primary in Georgetown, shared similar sentiments, noting that the grant will go toward the purchase of school items for the term ahead.

She added that the grant is especially beneficial for parents who may struggle to buy textbooks, highlighting that it adds not just to the items children need, but it directly and positively impacts their learning.

“It has been good, and the money would be beneficial for the child in terms of buying all the school items. Thanks to the government for bringing this initiative. It would be more beneficial because the cost of living is very high,” she said adding, “I plan to use it for schoolbooks, uniform, and stationery. It is very important because some other parents cannot afford to buy textbooks, so this money would come in handy to enhance the child’s education. Thanks to the government, it is a great input.”

Tatiana Moore, a mother of three, said that the grant will go toward the future of her children, with the funds set to be placed into savings on their behalf. One of her children attends the Novar Primary, while another is at Novar Nursery School in Region Five.

“I find that it benefits a lot. Usually, I would put it into savings for them,” she disclosed.

Moreover, she added that the grant will benefit a number of other parents in helping them prepare their children for the year ahead, saying, “I find that it will help a lot of parents out there, a lot, especially given the economy, and with September coming…they will have a comfortable term at school.”

She added, “I feel good. I feel like we matter and that they listen.”

Meanwhile, Clair Vaughn, parent of a child attending F.E. Pollard Primary School, commended the ease of the process in receiving the grant.

She noted that while there may have been challenges in previous years, this year was particularly smooth. “I received my cash grant today. The process was very seamless. I did not have to wait or anything. I think that the schools are moving in the right direction concerning the process. Before, there might have been hiccups, but they would have fixed them.”

Meanwhile, speaking on her plans for the grant, Vaughn noted that she aims to put it toward preparing her child for the new term and his savings, adding, “I am planning to spend it on a backpack, uniform, books, and stationery, and should there be any left over, and if prices do not go up as they usually do, I will put it towards his savings because it is meant for him. So, I am going to use it wholly and solely for him.”

Rafeena Williams, parent of Grade Four and Grade Five pupils at Long Creek Primary School in Region Four, praised the initiative as a major aid to parents, particularly single mothers, adding, “This cash grant has been a great initiative from the government. I really appreciate it as a mother.”

Further, she noted that she was once a single mother. Williams added that the initiative has been an incredible help to her, saying, “At one time I was a single mother, and when this initiative started, it helped me a lot when it comes to purchasing school uniforms and other necessities. We see it as a great initiative, a good one for us as parents. It is a relief on our financial side.”