EU gives 200,000 Euro grant to ChildLink

Jan 22, 2014 News

Ambassador to Guyana, Robert Kopecký and Ms. Omattie Madray, Programme Director of ChildLink, signed a grant of 200,000 Euros on Monday aimed at putting in place a project that seeks to Empower Children in Difficult Circumstances.

Ambassador Robert Kopecký and Ms. Omattie Madray sign the grant contract while Chantalle Haynes, [standing right] Director of Forward Guyana and Ann Greene of the Child Protection Agency, Ministry of Human Services look on.

ChildLink Inc. is a Guyana-based Non-Governmental Organization. Established in 2009, its purpose has always been to work along with the citizens of the country in order to create an environment that is conducive for the healthy development of children.
Moreover, the overall aim of the actions by the company is to reinforce policies, practices and approaches which will ensure that social welfare services prevent and protect twelve thousand, six hundred and fifty (12,650) children from sexual violence by December 2015.
The substantial grant will be provided by the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) 2012-2013 country allocation for Guyana.
EIDHR is a “self-standing financing instrument” which provides assistance to lend support to the promotion of social equality and human rights worldwide.
Further, the grant is intended to boost the work already done by the organization.
ChildLink under two previous grants totaling 180,000 Euros had done impressive work which is in keeping with its objectives. Those grants were also funded by EIDHR.
Madray explained that the project aims to ultimately protect children, specifically those at risk of sexual violence through the Tell Campaign, and children who have been sexually violated, through comprehensive services in three Child Advocacy Centres.
This initiative, she said, “Has been developed in partnership with the Ministry of Human Services – Childcare and Protection Agency, Forward Guyana and ChildLink Inc., and funded by the European Union, UNICEF and other local donors. The grant will over the next two years staff and equip the centres, build the capacity of the staff and increase advocacy to stop the abuse of children.”
In light of the grant being awarded to the company Kopecký had even stated that the promotion and protection of human rights is a perspective that is a core value which it shares with the member states of the EU and their commitment to that value is reflected in their work.
“Human Rights is one of the core values of the European Union and its Member states, going like a silver thread through its many, if not all, activities. The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights provides the possibility to support civil society projects in this area also in Guyana.”
He also noted that, “The rights of vulnerable groups, especially children, are particularly important in this regard and the ChildLink proposal convinced us. We look forward to a successful implementation that we perceived to be fully complementing the Government of Guyana’s priorities, activities and intervention in this area.”

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