The government’s ‘Because We Care’ cash grant is more than just financial assistance, it represents much-needed support.
This is according to Susan Bacchus who works to provide for her children and manage the daily challenges of getting them to school.
On Tuesday, the Department of Public Information DPI caught up with a young mother, who is among thousands of parents and guardians benefiting from the $85,000 education grant.
She shared that the assistance will help ease some of the pressures associated with school preparation, particularly transportation costs and purchasing essential supplies.
With two children attending school, Bacchus explained that managing expenses can sometimes be difficult, especially with transportation challenges in her community.
“This cash grant means a lot to me because I have two kids going to school, and sometimes transportation is hard. This will contribute to buying school things for them, lunch, and whatever they need,” Bacchus said.
She noted that her first priority is ensuring her children have their school uniforms and other necessities before the new school term begins.
Bacchus also highlighted the wider challenges faced by families in her area, pointing to out that now the transportation cash assistance will help alleviate the burden.
“Sometimes the vehicles don’t want to come back here…so transportation is important. Sometimes, we have to ask people to drop the children home,” she explained.
For parent Roger Carryl, the initiative provides significant relief and reduces some of the financial burden families face when preparing children for school.
Carryl said the $85,000 grant will go directly towards school-related expenses, including uniforms and other supplies.
“This is a very big impact in our pocket because it carries us so far. You can go and buy the school clothes and get everything ready for school,” he said.
He added that the support complements other education initiatives being rolled out, noting that assistance such as textbooks and transportation support helps parents ensure their children remain focused on their education.
Meanwhile, Single Parent Tamaira Singh, whose children attend Premier Academy, said the grant is also beneficial for families with children enrolled in private institutions.
“It helps ease a lot of school burdens. My son and daughter are from private schools, so the books and stuff, it helps a lot with school items and transportation fees,” she said.
The parents and guardians receiving the grant, including Joycelyn Harris, Shondel Phillips, Rondell Bacchus, Mary Jones, Natasha Ross, Dawn Blair and grandparent Reshma Lachman, all expressed appreciation for the assistance, noting that it will help their families better prepare for the upcoming school term.
The ‘Because We Care’ Cash Grant continues to form part of the Government’s broader investment in education to reduce the financial burdens faced by single parent households, while supporting students’ access to learning opportunities.