President Ali announces $100,000 cash grant for each child with a disability

A cash grant of $100,000 for each child with a disability, was announced by President Irfaan Alli during a meeting with parents and their special needs children this afternoon at State House. Ali said that the Government has a lot of plans under its One Guyana umbrella to offer help to all Guyanese.

“We want to do more, we are working on areas where we can do more. We are working on the methodology that can be best utilised to deliver more to you,” the President said. President Ali, who was joined by First Lady Arya Ali and Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, noted that the objective of the meeting was to find ways to improve the lives of all persons with disabilities.

The Head of State said plans are in place to have a classroom in every region that is dedicated to helping children with disabilities.  Human Services and Social Security Ministry is currently helping with the design. “This is us trying to build a national environment in which the needs of every single person are taken into consideration,” the minister.

President Ali also noted that systems are in place to create an updated register of persons with disabilities (PWD), which is the first phase of delivering help to all affected individuals. “We have to find a structured way in which we can deliver help,” he said. Ali also allowed parents to voice their concerns on issues affecting their children and to make needed recommendations.  It was revealed that most parents spoke of the hardship in getting public assistance for their children and issues of transportation.

The President after listening to a number of parents, announced that moving forward, he would ensure that all the children on the register are entitled to automatic public assistance. He stressed that with the help of the Education Ministry, more teachers will be trained to deal with special needs students, while he will put systems in place to have at least one vehicle at each care facility to help with transportation needs. Ali in addressing the concerns, issued a stern warning to “uncaring officials”, who have continuously denied children with disabilities public assistance.

“Persons who deny a child help have no place in public service.” He said that persons who don’t have the emotional capacity to understand the need and plight of affected parents, should not work in the sector,” he disclosed.

BUSINESS CENTRES FOR PWD

President Ali in working with the Office of the First Lady, said that the Government also plans to construct a business centre for persons with disabilities (PWD) in every region. He disclosed that this year, the first such centre will be built in Region Six.

Director of Projects at the Central Housing and Planning Authority, Omar Narine explained that the design of the building was done in collaboration with the National Commission on Disability to incorporate all the specifications and requirements. Narine said that the building is 9,100 square feet of reinforced concrete and will be constructed at a cost of approximately $120M.

The President revealed that the centre will be replicated in every region of Guyana. It will feature five workstations, which will allow persons to manufacture varying products, ranging from crafts to snacks and a retail space for the products to be sold. He noted that although it is a business centre, it will also include a therapy room.

It was pointed out that over two dozen persons are expected to gain employment in the short term at each centre, with the possibility of it increasing to over three dozen in the medium to long term. Additionally, the children who attended today’s meeting received a special package from the Office of the President.