57 more graduate from Berbice Citizens Security Programme
A TOTAL of 150 youths, from among school dropouts within the districts of Overwinning  and Edinburgh, East Bank Berbice, were equipped with life skills and vocational training through the Ministry of Home Affairs sponsored Citizens Security Programme (CSP), in an  effort to develop safer communities. Last Friday, the third batch of 57, having been coursed in 13 disciplines, graduated at a ceremony punctuated by dance, songs and a skit highlighting youth violence, in the New Amsterdam Town Hall.
Amongst the courses taught were Food Preparation, Cosmetology, Welding/Fabrication, Computer Repairs, Auto Mechanic, Carpentry, Child Care, Joinery, Garment Construction, Agricultural Mechanic, Electrical Installation, and Fitter Machinist.
Certificates of Achievement were presented while trophies and tokens were given as other rewards.
Home Affairs Minister Clement Rohee, in his charge to the graduates, disclosed that, having been questioned about the significance of the project in the National Assembly, he highlighted the need for the Ministry to establish a board which would, successfully, monitor and give direction to the various programmes scattered across the country.
In addition, he said there are weekly documentaries on television and a regular feature in the Sunday Chronicle, which informs viewership/readership by residents in far-flung communities, who may not have been beneficiaries but who can then have a general knowledge of the scheme.

GENERAL CONCERN
“We must disseminate information so that the populace can be aware. There is a general concern, in that there are a lot of youths in the Region who are left to the vagaries of day to day life, which does not necessarily offer hope in the future.
“The general opinion in the country is that Government need to do something to keep the youth occupied. We know there are thousands of youths who are desirable of making a future for themselves and that they need assistance,” he acknowledged.
In recognition of the necessity, Rohee alluded to the Government’s negotiation with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the involvement of which has resulted in the CSP having a component to provide skills training.
“But this not the only programme in Guyana. There are other governmental agencies, within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, along with the Ministries of Labour, Human Services and Health, which take youths out of hopelessness, so that they can have a future,” he pointed out.
The Minister reiterated Government’s commitment to the fight against poverty and crime while providing a positive future for youths.

POSITIVELY OCCUPIED
Further, he emphasised the requirement for past beneficiaries of the Government’s initiative to take their role seriously, as the acquired new skill has not only brought an individual achievement but also a profit for the respective communities, which will become safer as the majority of youths are now positively occupied.
Addressing the gathering at the function, earlier, was Chairman of Region Six (East Berbice/Corentyne), Mr. David Armogan who observed that, in this society, when a student drops out of school, the dropout is placed in a vulnerable group which is easily influenced.
“There are bad and good people. The bad ones are looking for compatriots. The bad gulps up the vulnerable, leading them to a path of crime. But very few times you are given a second opportunity to reintegrate with the good people. The CSP gives you that opportunity to be reintegrated,” he observed.
Armogan said: “You are given an opportunity to get back in the system in your community with people you know well. Therefore, you have confidence and are able to relate easily. The programme gives you an opportunity to socialise at your own level and become creative. You have been taught important skills which are a scarcity these days. You have an opportunity to develop and learn more. Be useful and decent citizens.”

SPEAK VOLUMES
Commending the organisers of the programme, which seeks to make the community safer, he said the various lectures and workshops on domestic and child abuse, which are included in the curriculum, speak volumes, as the societal disease is faced by all, especially those residents in East Berbice.
Community Action Officer of Overwinning/Edinburgh Group, Ms. Sharon Trim, in her report, said the intense six months training commenced on September 15, 2011 and concluded on March 15, 2012, with participants being taught a skill to become self-dependent.
She encouraged family support, which will be a stimulus for upward mobility in the life of the youths as they strive to improve themselves.
The graduation function was chaired by Ms. Camille Mc Kenzie.