Human Services Minister commissions new Sophia care centre
Georgetown, GINA, September 23, 2011
Source - GINA
The new Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand this afternoon commissioned the new building for the Sophia Care Centre that has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 children.
The building is equipped with the necessary amenities for educational pursuits, and vocational and life-skills training, as these are necessary tools which will impact positively on the rehabilitation of the children.
Ann Greene, Director, Children Services said the opening of improved accommodation as a safe house for children is another achievement for child care and protection services in Guyana.
A section of the senior boys’ dormitory in the Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand
Reports indicate that most of the abuses are perpetrated in the home with the parents and /or guardians as the perpetrators; therefore an alternative accommodation for children while the problem of abuse in the home is being addressed is needed.
This building offers the perfect setting to provide the children in need of care with the attention and environment that are needed.
Minister Manickchand thanked Minister Robeson Benn and officials from the Work Services Department as they volunteered their expertise and time in accomplishing the new building.
“This building came out of a programme which commenced in 2008, where the objective was to provide an environment where children who were displaced or appeared to be on the streets can be safe and comfortable,” Minister Manickchand said.
A section of the senior boys’ dormitory in the Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya Manickchand
She further charged those present to take the role of child protection seriously by placing the functions and duties that come with the role of being a protector of the rights of children before their professions.
“There is no time that we want to willingly take anybody’s child… as was claimed previously when the programme started in 2008, we have a facility here that has a capacity of 100, every child taken was necessary for their protection, and I’m pleased to say that the Guyanese community has been responding very well through our hotlines and our various offices and bringing to our attention cases of child abuse and neglect so that the ministry can address their needs,” Minister Manickchand said.
The construction of the new facility became necessary in 2009 as the number of children in protective care increased significantly since March 2007, when the Mission Child Protection Programme to remove children from the streets and other risky places was launched by Minister Manickchand.
A special care centre in the Sophia Compound was established to hold the children at that time. Since that date, some of the children at the Centre were successfully reunited with their families, and a few placed in foster care while other initiatives have been undertaken to re-allocate the older children.
Notwithstanding these approaches, there has not been a vacant space, as the centre’s doors are revolving, thereby resulting in overcrowding at the centre and insufficient amenities for the children’s comfort.
Georgetown, GINA, September 23, 2011
Source - GINA
The new Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya ManickchandMinister of Human Services and Social Security Priya Manickchand this afternoon commissioned the new building for the Sophia Care Centre that has the capacity to accommodate up to 100 children.
The building is equipped with the necessary amenities for educational pursuits, and vocational and life-skills training, as these are necessary tools which will impact positively on the rehabilitation of the children.
Ann Greene, Director, Children Services said the opening of improved accommodation as a safe house for children is another achievement for child care and protection services in Guyana.
A section of the senior boys’ dormitory in the Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya ManickchandReports indicate that most of the abuses are perpetrated in the home with the parents and /or guardians as the perpetrators; therefore an alternative accommodation for children while the problem of abuse in the home is being addressed is needed.
This building offers the perfect setting to provide the children in need of care with the attention and environment that are needed.
Minister Manickchand thanked Minister Robeson Benn and officials from the Work Services Department as they volunteered their expertise and time in accomplishing the new building.
“This building came out of a programme which commenced in 2008, where the objective was to provide an environment where children who were displaced or appeared to be on the streets can be safe and comfortable,” Minister Manickchand said.
A section of the senior boys’ dormitory in the Sophia care centre building which was commissioned by Minister of Human Services Priya ManickchandShe further charged those present to take the role of child protection seriously by placing the functions and duties that come with the role of being a protector of the rights of children before their professions.
“There is no time that we want to willingly take anybody’s child… as was claimed previously when the programme started in 2008, we have a facility here that has a capacity of 100, every child taken was necessary for their protection, and I’m pleased to say that the Guyanese community has been responding very well through our hotlines and our various offices and bringing to our attention cases of child abuse and neglect so that the ministry can address their needs,” Minister Manickchand said.
The construction of the new facility became necessary in 2009 as the number of children in protective care increased significantly since March 2007, when the Mission Child Protection Programme to remove children from the streets and other risky places was launched by Minister Manickchand.
A special care centre in the Sophia Compound was established to hold the children at that time. Since that date, some of the children at the Centre were successfully reunited with their families, and a few placed in foster care while other initiatives have been undertaken to re-allocate the older children.
Notwithstanding these approaches, there has not been a vacant space, as the centre’s doors are revolving, thereby resulting in overcrowding at the centre and insufficient amenities for the children’s comfort.