The Ministry of Human Services and Social Protection is exploring training opportunities for persons who are being housed in the Night Shelter in East Ruimveldt.
Minister of Human Services and Social Protection Dr. Vindhya Persaud said training from the Board of Industrial Training (BIT), Women’s Innovative Network (WIN) and special programmes will be introduced to the shelter.
“We’re going to be looking at training programmes that are suitable for persons living here. If you would like to learn something, you would like to do something; you would like to be able to work, whatever it is you would want to do, going forward, you’re afforded that opportunity.” Disability programmes such as therapy and mobility will also be introduced into the shelter.
The Minister made the announcement while opening the newly refurbished section of the Night Shelter that costs about $5M. This section will be housing about 50 to 60 persons.
Dr. Persaud explained that this facility did not have tiled floors, no walls, no window and was not properly equipped. “I came here and I was a little horrified that people were staying in this environment.”
“What I want to say is this is not the final aspect of upgrading that will happen to the night shelter which has the capacity of 120…what you’re seeing is a massive upgrade.”
She said a kitchen for the Night Shelter is still on the cards as well as a shade house for agriculture pursuits.
“Because I think getting into plating, you know planting is therapeutic things and seeing your produce harvesting and whatever you chose to put in the shade house it will be a good activity for you to embark on.”
