The Inspire the Child – Inspire Change Foundation
THE RESULTS are outstanding. On January 16, 2010, The Inspire The Child – Inspire Change Foundation launched the ‘Effective Communication & Leadership’ programme for children.
To date, the institution has over 40 children, who are active members of the foundation. What is outstanding is not the number of children that are registered with the ICIC Foundation, but the level of growth that they have shown over the last two months. Children who were shy when joining the programme are now expressive, with better interpersonal communication and leadership skills.
The shutter was raised at 5:30 pm on April 3, 2010 to mark the opening of the ‘Literary Lime’ that was held at 171 Fourth Street, Alexander Village. From the time mentioned above, up until 7:30pm, the children of the ICIC Foundation were in control of the entire programme.
They functioned as MCs, displaying a level of confidence that was nothing less that impeccable; it was as though there acts were taken from an advance communication manual of a Toastmaster’s Club that left no stone unturned in the prevention of errors. Their leadership
skills in keeping the audience awake and involve with the programme did not reflect anything less.
The eloquence in the children’s communication and leadership abilities became evident to the more than 100 persons who attended the ‘Literary Lime’, which was held in commemoration of the birth anniversary of one of the ICIC foundation’s director: Mr. Rampertab Etwaria.
For the first time in the short life of the foundation, and perhaps the history of the country, we had children as young as six years old who were moderating a diverse cultural programme that many an adult might have had difficulty doing.
In the second half of the programme, which was the ‘open mic’ session, many adults who were expected to run with this session were taken by surprise. They were shy or not courageous enough to exploit the opportunity to inspire the ready-made audience.
The children of the ICIC Foundation, for approximately two hours, had brilliantly managed the entire process of the first half of the literary lime. They did not only steal the cup of excellence as the lead MCs, but their outstanding presentations of songs, poems, and dance and standup comedy acts left their audience utterly overwhelmed.  I take off my hat and bow to the outstanding performances of the children who breathed new life into the expressions of the visual and performing arts. And I know many others who were present at the lime would do the same.
Some of those present at the event were veteran literary activist, Mr. Petamber Persaud; multi-talented actor, singer and business consultant, Mr. Russell Lancaster; and Mr. and Mrs. Roose,  ‘Life Coach’ and senior UNICEF representative respectively. Others included representatives from the private sector, namely GT&T, The Preparation Guild, G&J- M&K Investments, Corporate Advocates Inc, and TUVIA MEDIA Production that is responsible for the TUVIA: Inspire The Child magazine, which is Guyana’s first child Star and Family focus magazine.
TUVIA Music Productions’ presence was also felt with the rendition of ‘Let’s Do It’ that was wonderfully performed by the ICIC Foundation’s children, and was loved by the audience.
The ICIC Foundation, in its formation, had drafted several primary aims it wanted to achieve in its short and long term strategic plan, which are as follows:

1)    To showcase children as positive role models to their peers
2)    To foster a vision and attitude of collective development
3)    To forge healthy relationships among families, friends and communities
4)    To shape awareness that there is unlimited rewards in unity.

The leadership of the institution believes, based on the amount of violent acts that are taking place in schools by children and the society, that the role of the family as the single most important source of positive influence in the life of children is being seriously challenged, and would like to see the mainstream media and those who fuel information through the different channels of communication to do more to inspire our youth.
The launch of the ‘Inspire The Child-Inspire Change Foundation’ in June 2009 marks a significant beginning in rekindling and rebuilding healthy and strong family values, where social leaders, within every family unit, can stand out as positive role models to their offspring  and society.
To learn more about the ‘Inspire The Child – Inspire Change Foundation, become a member or register your child for membership. Please call Tel#: 226-4147 or 223-7415 and ask for any of the following directors: Mr. Rampertab Etwaria, Mr. Gary Thompson, Mr. Howard Samaroo or Mrs. Lisa Samaroo.
The Inspire The Child – Inspire Change Foundation is currently auditioning for children who have talent in singing, dancing, modeling, fashion designing and standup comedy acts. Your act may give you a chance to be feature in Guyana’s first Child Star magazine.
Call the numbers above, or contact Mr. Etwaria on tel#609-8235 for more details.