THE “Because We Care” cash grant stands as one of Guyana’s most transformative social programmes, providing direct financial support to families, while stimulating economic growth across communities.
What began as a modest $10,000 initiative in 2014 has ballooned into a $55,000 lifeline to over 205,000 students. The Because We Care programme is testament to what compassionate government is all about when government leaders put people ahead of politics.
The economic impact of the Because We Care grant has far-reaching effects that go far beyond individual households.
Single parents like Seeta Gopaul, vouch for its life-transforming possibilities: “As a single parent, every dollar counts. I can now buy all the back-to-school supplies my child needs”.
Pensioner Grandmother Leonora James, bringing up grandchildren on a pension, says of the grant that it takes “a weight off my shoulders.”
These praises reinforce a broader economic reality – the programme injects billions of dollars directly into local economies, funding businesses from school-supplies shops to uniform manufacturers.
The grant’s multiplier effect cannot be overestimated. By placing purchasing power in parents’ pockets, it drives demand for school equipment, uniforms, transport, and technology.
Daniel Sanchez encapsulated this sentiment precisely: “This is a good initiative that the government is supporting us with. There are quite a lot of parents who are kind of struggling at the moment”.
The initiative has risen from $19,000 in 2021 to $50,000 in 2025, demonstrating respect on the part of the government for maintaining with inflation and rising expenses.
The darkest page of this programme’s history is the APNU+AFC administration’s cold-blooded decision to cancel it in 2015.
Education Minister Priya Manickchand properly set the record straight against detractors that “it was your money too when his party refused to give it to you from 2015-2020.”
The coalition didn’t only cancel the programme, they took the $1.6 billion and used it to increase their own food allowances. This is an elementary betrayal of Guyanese families– prioritising government benefits over children. The reality is that they chose to abandon vulnerable families during their moment of need.
The PPP/C’s re-introduction of the programme after being elected in 2020 was a manifesto promise and demonstrated actual commitment to social equality.
The grant was not only reinstated, but also covered students at private schools and was systematically increased annually. Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo’s pledge to “grow significantly” the grant in the next term is evidence of continued prioritisation of education assistance.
This initiative is not just a grant of financial assistance – it is the belief that “once we have resources, we make sure we invest it back into you.” The Because We Care grant remains a testament to what progressive leadership can do when leaders truly care about the people.
Source: https://guyanachronicle.com/2025/06/11/because-we-care/
Leave a Reply