The University of Guyana (UG) Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit, Master of Social Work Students, under the Auspices of PACE, Offers Educational support to the Childcare and Protection Agency for children in Institutional care have offered educational support to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).
The novel coronavirus disease that emerged at the end of 2019, began threatening the health and lives of millions of people after a few weeks. Highly contagious, with the possibility of causing severe respiratory disease, it quickly impacted economies, society, public health systems, schools and residential care facilities.
In response, public health emergency measures included the closure of schools, physical distancing and “lock-down” to prevent the contagion and limit the outbreak.
Consequently, the lives of children in residential care have been altered and a demanding stress-coping-adjustment process is ongoing. To this end, the University of Guyana, Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit Master of Social Work and Undergraduate Students, donated four flash drives containing 18 edutainment presentations and activities for the CPA to engage the children in each of the residential care facilities.
Sincere gratitude was extended to the 11th Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Prof. Paloma Mohamed for her staunch support and guidance. Also , the Head and members of the Department of Sociology, Social Work Unit, UNICEF for their kind contribution of the Flash drives.
Gratitude was also extended to the Director of Children Services -Ms. Ann Greene, Assistant Director of Children Services – Ms. Tionna October and the Manager of the Care Centres – Ms. Melissa Gentle, of the Childcare and Protection Agency, Ministry of Social Protection, for collaborating with the University of Guyana on this initiative, to facilitate education using Information technology with the children in residential care during this unprecedented time of COVID -19.
Finally, a heartfelt thank you was extended to all the Master of Social Work and Undergraduate Students, for their well put together presentations, which contributed to the success of this initiative.
