Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr Vindhya Persaud, commissioned the first of its kind ‘Learning Lab’ at Mahaica, East Coast Demerara (ECD) on Tuesday.
This facility, which was pegged at $73 million, is dedicated to the development and empowerment of persons living with disabilities.
While delivering the feature address, Minister explained that the institution was well-thought-out.
She noted that while under construction, the Ministry received suggestions, recommendations, and feedback from the various disability organisations across Guyana. It features three training halls and a state-of-the-art kitchen.
“It is the intention of the government of Guyana, directly through the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, to expand those safety nets, to continue to see and increase the allocations to persons living with disabilities and in the last two years, for the first time, there were direct allocations for persons living with disabilities,” the Minister stated.
The Minister added that the government is advancing its work so that vulnerable groups can access equal opportunity and development that would be available for the years to come.
“At the learning lab, we focus on technical and vocational skills with the strategic direction of having persons who leave the learning lab with skills so that they can gain financial independence.”
The Spotlight Initiative donated $5 million worth of furniture to the centre.
Meanwhile, United Nations Resident Coordinator Yesim Oruc highlighted that the facility had advanced Guyana’s push relating to the Sustainable Development Goals.
She said, “I commend this initiative to make human rights, especially Guyana’s obligations to various international conventions on disabilities and its local laws, to ensure that all the articles of these conventions are tangible.”
