Residents of Crane on the West Coast of Demerara on Sunday bore witness to a sod-turning and tree-planting exercise at the site designated for a US$500,000 facility for persons with disabilities.
The project is being made possible by the Government of Guyana (GoG) with funding from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking at the short ceremony, President Irfaan Ali expressed gratitude, on behalf of the people of Region 3 and all Guyana, to the Government of UAE, adding that the GoG is pleased to be in partnership with it on such an important project.
“… today we’re not only seeing an investment by UAE in Guyana or the building of a facility by the UAE. What we’re seeing is a demonstration of the character of the people of the UAE. And that is a character of concern, of care. One in which they see the value of every human being as a member of the human family, as a member of the family of humanity. That is why despite the miles that separate us, despite the cultural differences that separate us, despite the geographic separation, today we have seen the unification by a good act and an act in the interest of people and in service to humanity,” the president noted.
Guyana, Ali pointed out, has pledged to look into the needs of those people living in vulnerable conditions, especially those who are differently-abled, because “they too must enjoy a prosperous life. They too must be able to experience the joys of life in a comfortable environment. In an environment in which they are safe… protected… in which their parents can find the comfort of having their children there”.
According to the Presi-dent, for three years now the Ministry of Human Services and First Lady Arya Ali have been working on various initiatives to help the elderly, the vulnerable, and the differently-abled in Guyana. Additionally, such projects as the launch of a cash grants register for differently-abled individuals, the development of a special needs centre, and the construction of 13 special needs schools have been part of the GoG’s investments.
The President also noted that plans are currently underway for the procurement of seven new specialized school buses which will aid in transporting special needs children to and from their schools. These vehicles, he said, will also be connected to the new facility in Region 3.
Ali pointed out that Region 3 was part of this year’s budgeted plan for the construction of schools and as such, the investment made by the UAE will be used to expand the programme.
In attendance at the ceremony was the Minister of State for International Cooperation for the UAE, Reem Al Hashimy and other representatives of the UAE government.
