‘Travelling Exhibition’ goes to Linden

May 25, 2016 News

The European Union, in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund

(Above): Derek Lambe, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation in Guyana, Mayor of Linden Carwyn Holland and students at the launch.
(Below): A section of the paintings on display at the travelling exhibition.

(UNICEF) and Blossom, a local Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), on Friday last, launched the Travelling Exhibition at the Egbert Benjamin Conference Centre and Exhibition Hall in Mackenzie, Linden, Region 10.

The exhibition of drawings prepared by sexually abused children has been moving across the country. It was first launched in April in Region 4 by First Lady, Mrs. Sandra Granger and in early May was held in Region 6 at the Whim Police Station. It is the intention to have the Travelling Exhibition taken across all Regions of Guyana.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Region 10, Derek Lambe, Chargé d’affaires of the EU Delegation in Guyana, said that ‘’the Travelling Exhibition aims to show through the eyes of the aggrieved child, the injury, injustice and lifelong scars that remain after sexual abuse.’’
Lambe also said that some scientists argue that there are clear links between sexual abuse and permanent changes in the brain, which can result in psychiatric problems. The problems range from panic attacks to post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies and even aggression, impulsiveness, delinquency, hyperactivity, and substance abuse, and that these can show up at any stage of the abused child’s life – in childhood, adolescence and even in adulthood.
The EU Chargé d’affaires closed by appealing to all present and to all Guyanese to join efforts to rid Guyana of child sexual abuse. He said that child sexual abuse threatens the country’s greatest asset and the sustainable development that Guyana seeks.
The Travelling Exhibition is open to the public and all are invited to view the images painted by the children who participated in creative and art therapy facilitated by volunteer Ms. Sigrid Sandker.
The Exhibition is another of the many undertakings by the EU and UNICEF to curb the growing number of cases of child sexual abuse in Guyana. The EU and UNICEF are both in the vanguard of promoting the eradication of child sexual abuse.