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Working with Children's Homes
Saint John Bosco Boys' Orphanage
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Saint John Bosco Boys’ Orphanage has provided a home for boys since 1879. The facility is run by the Roman Catholic Sisters of Mercy, directed by Mother Superior Julie Matthews. The administrator of the orphanage is Grace Daniels.
Located on the East Coast of Demerara in Georgetown, Guyana, Bosco houses over 40 boys between four and sixteen years of age. The orphanage strives to support the boys in every way.
While visiting Bosco, you will almost definitely be asked to join a game of football. Some of the boys also enjoy card games.
Saint Ann's Girls' Orphanage
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Saint Ann’s Girls’ Orphanage, located in the heart of Georgetown, provides physical and emotional shelter for approximately 50 girls. At the privately funded institution, the emphasis is on education as a means to escape poverty.
Ranging in age from four to sixteen, the majority of the girls come from backgrounds of abuse or neglect.
In spite of this, the girls are full of life and light, and are generally eager to spend time with visitors. Visitors are invited to join in a game of volleyball, or sometimes even to help out with homework.
Red Cross and Red Crescent Home for Convalescing Children
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent Home for Convalescing Children opened 50 years ago as a clinic for children from the country’s remote interior, brought to the capital for medical treatment. Today, however, the facility houses approximately 25 children aged 0-5 who have been removed from their homes or abandoned by their parents. The site also provides care for several disabled children as well as children living with HIV/AIDS.
The Convalescent Home employs 23 of the Red Cross’s 33 available workers, including doctors, nurses, care-givers and volunteers. These individuals not only care for the children living in the home, but also provide a day-care center. Over the years, organizations like the local Rotary Club, The European Union, the Canadian Aid Agency, and the Guyanese government have all supported the home. With a monthly budget of $2,500 (US), the Guyana Red Cross is constantly seeking further funding for the institution.
Sophia Public Orphanage
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The Guyana Public Orphanage, located in the village of Sophia, Georgetown, is currently home to approximately 80 children between the ages of 5 and 18. Most of these boys and girls come from homes where they have survived abuse and/or neglect, but some have simply been abandoned by their parents.
The facility is located near two large fields and a basketball court where the children are allowed to play every day. While visiting, you will have the opportunity to visit the boys or girls dormitory, as well as go out to the fields to play games of cricket or football (weather permitting). The girls especially enjoy braiding hair and playing games like Tribal Leader and other hand games.
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