Hugo Chavez Centre

On August 10, 2013, the Hugo Chavez Centre, a government of Venezuela funded project was commissioned at Onverwagt at a cost of US $2M dollars and handed over to the Government of Guyana. The Centre’s aims and objectives are to focus on the reintegration and rehabilitation of residents through training and counselling the individuals housed there, with the overall aim towards empowering them to support themselves.

The Centre ensure that the following are achieved:

• • Rehabilitative care for residents by reducing dependency and maintaining a healthy environment of physical safety

• • Reduction of vulnerability of persons living on the streets to illnesses, criminal activity (victims or perpetrators), prostitution, HIV/AIDS and other social ills.

• • Residents are taught life skills, with the aim of making them self-sufficient in preparation for their reintegration to society.

• • Counselling and training sessions in areas which include conflict resolution and substance abuse.

Medical services, meals, laundry services and transportation are also provided for the residents.