Minister Persaud – StoryBoard initiative off to a great start

The Human Services and Social Security Ministry is pleased to have secured funding under the
United Nations Spotlight Initiative from United Nations and the European Union for the
StoryBoard Initiative, that was launched last October 11 on International Day of the Girl Child.
As such, the initiative is off to a great start.
It was revealed that the facilities targeted are Mahaica Children’s Home, Camal Home for
Battered women and Children, Bal Nivas, Sophia Care Centre, Children and Family Care Centre,
Cornelia Ida Children’s Home and Haururni Girls Home.
Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud has pointed out that an added benefit of this initiative is the
creative therapy that it provides to the girls. “I believe the outlet is important and timely and I
have no doubt the opportunity to chronicle their experiences through story-telling/writing will
serve to inspire and help other young people,” the minister noted.
Six journalists from the Guyana Press Association (GPA) have volunteered as mentors on this
programme and the Ministry wishes to express its gratitude to them. These journalists are
Nazima Raghubir, Fareeza Haniff, Svetlana Marshal, Nafeeza Yahya, Thandeka Percival and
Vanessa Braithwaite.The course will consist of six sessions with a two-hour session each week
where the facilitator will explain key elements of story writing and teach on different language
tools that are used in story writing. Ms. Raghubir, President of the GPA, who is volunteering as
mentor at the Sophia Care Centre, welcomes the opportunity to work with the girls. “Already, the
feedback has been positive, and much work is being done. She noted that the girls, their stories,
their ability to tell their stories and write about how they feel, could help to boost morale and
self-esteem, for that, the project earns our support,” Dr Persaud said.
She noted that at the end of the six weeks, the children should be able to produce a story. The
Ministry intends to partner with key private sector partners to secure publishing of the stories.
The monies earned from the publishing of these stories will be remitted to the beneficiaries of
this programme to help in supporting themselves after they have aged out of the alternative care
system.
Minister Persaud noted to this extent, the programme aims to strengthen the social safety net for
girls in alternative care facilities. She added that the Ministry also intends to continue this
program beyond the initial funding of Spotlight and integrate same into its social safety net
programme for gender-based violence survivors.