–with generous donation of much-needed school supplies

OVER 500 students in Regions 1, 8 and 9 have benefited from the Global Shapers Community ‘Head Start! Stationery Drive’ micro-project at the start of the 2014-2015 academic year. 

Two teams of Global Shapers from the Georgetown hub embarked on a journey to three hinterland communities: Matthews Ridge – Region 1, Fairview -Region 8 and Shulinab – Region 9 in early September. Their mission was to distribute school supplies to approximately 500 or more students in both nursery and primary schools.
This initiative was intended to provide students in remote communities in Guyana’s hinterland with stationery supplies for the new academic year.
The drive has received overwhelming support from donors and sincere appreciation from the beneficiaries and so the Georgetown hub has decided to undertake an annual stationery drive since this marks the second initiative hosted by the Global Shapers Community.
This micro project came about after recognising the need in the hinterland communities due to socioeconomic and geographic limitations. This year’s project team, led by Georgetown Shaper, Hubert Forrester, created stationery kits, including backpacks, pencils, rulers, erasers, sharpeners and books for both nursery and primary students and delivered these supplies during the opening week of school.
Last year the Georgetown hub provided ‘back-to-school’ supplies to over 400 young students in Matthew’s Ridge, Kurupukari and Cashew Island through its HeadStart! Stationery Drive, which was made possible by the generous donations from supporters, both national and international.
This year’s supplies were provided by the generous donations of individuals, organizations and businesses, in and out of Guyana.
Meanwhile, the Georgetown hub has extended their sincere gratitude to some of their corporate sponsors for supporting this initiative: Mobile Money Guyana, Civil Defence Commission, Top Brandz Distributors, W&T George Group of Companies, Miss Guyana Universe Katherina Roshana, RK’s Security, Hand-in-Hand Group of Companies, Demerara Mutual Life Assurance Company, ScotiaBank, California Stucco Guyana Inc., Environmental Protection Agency, Fitness Express, Mobile Wizard, Everything Makes Craft, and S4 Foundation.
The Global Shapers Community, Georgetown Hub, was established on December 27, 2013. The hub has highlighted several issues within the Guyanese society, and projects are being undertaken to create a wider impact within the country. The hub is united by a common desire to channel the members’ tremendous energy and enthusiasm into building a more peaceful and inclusive world.
The Global Shapers Community is a worldwide network of more than 350 city-based hubs developed and led by promising young leaders between the ages of 20 and 30, who want to build on their achievements and entrepreneurial drive to make a positive contribution to their communities. Together, they embody the “community of the future,” bringing together empowered youth in a community that is diverse.
Global Shapers Community is an initiative of the World Economic Forum and is independent, neutral, non-political and not-for-profit.

(By Shivanie Sugrim)