First-of-its-kind day/night shelter opens in Region Three

A multi-purpose Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Centre was commissioned on Thursday at Anna Catherina, Region Three, creating a safe space for children, support for families, and an avenue for employment in the region.

President Dr. Irfaan Ali and Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, opened the $93.8 million centre during a ceremony, marking a fulfilled commitment by the government.

During the commissioning ceremony, Dr. Ali said this facility will greatly improve the lives of many families.

“You may have a family, a young professional family, where one member of the family decide they have to stay home because they have children.

“Another young professional who may afford to hire someone to take care of their children, and that family achieved their full potential, which leads to full economic empowerment, which leads to a larger growth, more disposable income… it’s an equalising investment,” the President said.

The ‘day and night’ care programme was conceptualised by Minister Persaud. It is part of the PPP/C’s 2020–2025 manifesto under “Empowering women and taking care of children and vulnerable groups,” where it aims to encourage and assist in the establishment of daycare centres for working women.

This facility, the first of three centres to be established, provides support to low-income families by offering a safe space for children. It will accommodate children up to 12 years old and also provide access to early screening programmes for eye diseases, hearing, among other conditions, to ensure early intervention in the lives of children.

“This was birthed from that understanding that when parents go out into the world of work, they want the assurance and guarantee that their children are absolutely safe. Their children are in a secure environment,” the minister said.

Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Lavene Gouviea, said this is a first-of-its-kind initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean.

In addition, Guyana’s first National Integrated Early Childhood Development (NIECD) Policy, aimed at improving the lives of children aged 0–3, was introduced this year.

The government also injected funding into the establishment of a programme focused on early childhood development. This comprehensive programme focuses on cultivating an understanding of early childhood development and fostering positive developmental outcomes.