Empowering Migrant Families through integrated ESL-ECD Training for Adults
The initiative targeted 200 migrant parents living in regions one, three, four and nine
In a powerful step toward inclusive education and community integration, the Ministry of Education’s Migrant Education Support Unit, in collaboration with UNICEF and funding support from the Government of Canada, has successfully completed an Adult English as a Second Language (ESL) training program across four administrative regions in Guyana.
The initiative targeted 200 migrant parents living in regions one, three, four, and nine, aiming to strengthen their English proficiency and support their active participation in both their children’s education and broader society.
The ESL program is a key part of the Ministry and UNICEF’s mission to work collaboratively with stakeholders to meet the educational and social needs of migrant children and their families. Recognizing that children often bear the responsibility of translating for their parents in vital situations, such as at school meetings or job interviews, the initiative was aimed at addressing the significant gap by equipping parents with the tools they need to communicate independently in English.
Each session was also designed to ensure discussions on key ECD integration topics including bonding and child communication, nutrition, hygiene and safety tips, positive discipline and parental self-care, play and learning at home, early learning and school readiness, to name a few.
The ESL classes were held in five communities: Yarakita, Wauna and White Water in Region 1, De Willem in Region 3, Kuru Kururu in Region 4, and Arapaima in Region 9. The five-week program included practical lessons such as writing one’s name, identifying body parts, household vocabulary, and basic communication related to health, nutrition, and childcare.
Ms. Jean LaRose, Education Officer, who worked closely with the program in Region nine, said the sessions have been successful. “We had quite interactive and engaging sessions. It was rewarding to see adults excited about learning something as simple yet empowering as writing their own names. One of the highlights was taking them to the supermarket to learn about healthy foods, it was eye-opening for many of them,” LaRose said.
Beyond language learning, the program also emphasized holistic development. Health sessions were conducted with support from medical professionals, and community donations provided hygiene kits. This comprehensive approach reflects both UNICEF’s and the Ministry’s shared goal of inclusive and equitable development.
For Yorelis Ortuño, a migrant from Tent City in Region nine, the training marked a meaningful shift. Speaking through a translator, she said, “I learned a lot during these sessions. I wish the program were longer so I could improve even more and communicate better with people in daily life.” Ortuño also expressed her intent to share the knowledge she gained with others in her community who were unable to attend.
“A balanced diet is very important for children and us adults. I never really paid attention to what I ate or gave the children but with this programme they taught me a lot”, said Nayirus Sucre a migrant mom from Venezuela who is enrolled in the ESL- ECD programme in Wauna.
For Hosea Julianne the aspect of the programme that stood out to him was the various family structures ; this he continued has helped him understand the importance of each member of the family and the role they play in the growth of children.
Meanwhile, Edgar Herrea shared that the programme has helped him understand safety in the home, “no matches, no scissors for baby! These things I truly never took seriously until this programme.”
ESL training for adults is more than a language program, it is a bridge to empowerment, inclusion, and stronger communities. In the village of White Water, the trending theme is the need and want for the programme to continue, residents indicated that outside of learning about the family, diets and hygiene, the most important was learning to read and write.
“Before I was (kind of) shame that I couldn’t read and write, but now I know the alphabet, that there are 26 letters – I feel really good. I look forward to learning more”, said Terrence Smith a father and community leader from the village. By enhancing the English proficiency of migrant parents, the initiative has helped families access essential services, navigate their surroundings more confidently, and engage more fully in the education of their children.
This collaboration between the Ministry of Education, UNICEF, and the Canadian government stands as a testament to what can be achieved when local and international partners come together with a shared vision of equity and opportunity for all.
Speaking in her native language, Wapishana, Ann Hayla Prince expressed her gratitude to the team and said that the experience was very good and one she is very proud to have been a part of. Like her fellow villagers she is hopeful that the programme will continue.
