The encashing of the ‘Because We Care’ grants saw chaos and long lines at various sites yesterday and some parents and guardians expressed dissatisfaction with the chosen method of the money distribution.
The government through the Ministry of Education launched its ‘Because We Care’ grant last month awarding parents of children in the public education system $10,000 per child in a one-off payment catered for in this year’s budget.
Throughout the city and its environs yesterday, persons were seen queuing up at money transfer offices to uplift their cash.
Stabroek News visited some of the sites yesterday afternoon. An elderly woman, who requested anonymity, related that she had been in the line for almost three hours and she hoped to be through soon so that she can go home and look after her grandson.
Some persons commented that there should be more options available to uplift the money.
“Instead of having people piling up here [Western Union, Hincks Street] they should have other alternatives man. Let them drive around and deliver it. Western Union here trying, they allowing almost up to 15-20 persons at a time but how much can they be able to clear off before they close?” said frustrated mother Devina Khedoo who has three children.
“If I had one child I would a go home (chuckling) but I got four of them and look I walk with all a dem because I don’t have anybody to watch them and we standing up here since like going on to three hours now and I behind 11 person more,” said another 32-year-old mother.
