| Fielding probing questions from the parliamentary opposition, Minister of Social Protection Volda Lawrence,Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrencehas revealed plans to release a $40M contract to construct a domestic violence and homeless shelter for victims of abuse. It will have capacity for ten families at one time.It is understood that the shelter will be located at Cornelia Ida,Cheap NFL Shop, West Coast of Demerara.Lawrence’s elaboration on the building came about during the examination of the budget estimates on Monday, when People’s Progressive Party (PPP) Member of Parliament, Dr. Vidhya Persaud, had enquired from the Minister about the listing of the building under agency 49, Ministry of Social Protection and what services it would offer.“I’m hoping that (after the members) vote this evening,” Lawrence had replied. “(We) will be able to put out this contract,Cheap Jerseys Wholesale, $40M to have the construction for domestic violence (victims) and (the) homeless. (It is) a case where we would be able to provide shelter to persons who have suffered abuse.”And pass it they did, with a total of $13.9B going to her Ministry by the time the budget was passed. Persaud, however, contended that more money is needed for this sector. She queried whether this was the complete cost for the building, as listed. Lawrence confirmed that this was not the complete cost and that the eventual cost will come up to approximately $60M.“Fortunately for us we had a very good person who left in her estate $12M so we will be adding it to this quarter which will take us quite somewhere,Wholesale Jerseys,” she added.Lawrence also made it clear that this will be a new building and not an extension.Last month, Guyana’s Help and Shelter Crisis Service published information on its intake. There were 11 new inhabitants. This includes four women, and seven children including three of whom were boys.Opposition Member of Parliament, Gillian Burton-Persaud, enquired whether this shelter would only cater for the direct victims of abuse or whether it would also cater for indirect victims. She gave as an example the shelter providing protection not only for a mother suffering abuse,Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping, but also her children.“The home that we are building will make accommodation for persons with their families,Sale NFL Jerseys,” Lawrence said. “With regards to the programme, this year’s budget has indicated that we will be setting up the domestic violence and sexual therapist department. As soon as that comes on stream, we will be able to sit down and work out a programme for this particular home.”The Minister had announced plans to revisit the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Acts.“We also have financial allocations to improve our response to human trafficking; finalize the national Gender Policy; delink the Probation and Social Services aspect from Social Security; create a Suicide Prevention Manual; and partner with several NGOs and the University of Guyana to train persons in vocational skills and business management; and conduct job placement for single mothers,” she also announced.HomelessMinister Lawrence also said that there are plans to put the Hugo Chavez Home for Reintegration and Rehabilitation at Onverwagt,Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale, Region Five, to use. According to Lawrence, it is the intention to have the homeless screened and placed there, but that it is being addressed by the Georgetown Resuscitation Committee.“We will improve the (lives) of the homeless,” she had said. “This issue is being addressed largely by the Georgetown Resuscitation Committee and very shortly many of the homeless persons will be taken off the streets. Once these persons are screened, many will be sent to the Hugo Chavez Home for Reintegration and Rehabilitation.”“There, we will ensure that they are rehabilitated, receive life-skills training to foster reunion with their families and communities and use their newly-acquired skills to gain employment. This year we will create a sustainable poultry, fish and vegetable farm at the centre.” |
