Dear Editor,
In trying to support a poor Guyanese single-parent family through a temporary period of rough waters and facing homelessness, I approached the Ministry of Social Protection for assistance to the family. The callous dismissal of the request for support by the Ministerial Advisor at the Ministry of Social Protection was shocking to me. It showed complete lack of awareness of the importance of her role in this country and incapacity for situational analysis.
This Ministry is reporting that it is providing support, in partnership with IOM, to Venezuelan immigrants. Yet, it is unable to support a Guyanese family through a temporary period of difficulty. The shocking solution that the Ministry of Social Protection came up with was to separate the family. The highest level of management at the Child Care and Protection Agency made this recommendation to separate a family as their best means of support for homelessness for Guyanese, yet they are reporting rent subsidies of up to $50,000 support to destitute Venezuelan immigrants.
The administrators of this Ministry are callous. The family in question is safe as support had been found elsewhere. We want nothing to do with this Ministry (or with the Government) as they have shown themselves consistently to be a threat to the welfare and peace of mind of vulnerable families in Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
S. Khan
