THE Upper Corentyne Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UCCCI) in Berbice is, currently, executing a programme aimed at fostering socially desirable attitudes, practices and personal conduct of teenagers in relation to sex.
Supported with funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Governance Enhancement Project, it is in the form of an essay competition for children of primary and secondary schools in Upper Corentyne.
The topic on which the participants are asked to write is “What can I do to help my community address the issue of early sexual activity.”
The prizes for winners at both primary and secondary levels are first $15,000, second $10,000 and third $5,000 and 10 schools are expected to participate, with the aim of raising awareness about the negative effects of sexual activity among schoolchildren.
“The competition is part of a wider drive to sensitise citizens in the area and also to get the students’ perspective,” a member of the sponsoring organisation, Mr. Samuel Doerga said.
He said the UCCCI is very pleased with the support of USAID which has effectively partnered with it to help in the reduction and prevention of school age sex.
Doerga added that close collaboration with the Department of Education in Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne) has allowed for the smooth implementation and participation so far.
Entries in all categories of the contest must be submitted to the headteacher of the respective schools, to be forwarded to the UCCCI not later than, Friday, September 23, 2011, for judging. 
Another such awareness programme organised by the UCCCI is a debating competition details of which are to be released later this week.