Providing space for communities
AS PART of the Community Action Component (CAC) of the Citizens Security Programme (CSP), Rapid Impact Projects (RIPs) are meant to supplement the efforts aimed at crime and violence prevention. RIPs are small scale infrastructural projects implemented to address urgent community safety needs. These projects facilitate increased access and improved quality of basic infrastructure and services for residents, increased capacity of community organizations to manage and implement programmes and serve as an important avenue for channeling energies in a positive direction.
The first was commissioned at the Pattensen Multipurpose Centre at ‘B’ Field, Sophia on August 7, 2011.
The desire of the CSP is to have 30 RIPs in all, 15 each in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica) and Six East Berbice-Corentyne). Each of the ten target communities will have three such projects, with an injection of G$1M each.
This is in keeping with Government’s focus to ensure that youths in these communities are afforded the necessary opportunities that would aid in their development. The plan is premised on the objectives of creating safer neighbourhoods, supporting other initiatives of the CSP such as Life Skills and Vocational Training, Violence Prevention sessions and Community Fun Days.
Over the last few weeks, the CSP has commissioned several of these RIPs in Region Six. These include the small-scale rehabilitation and equipping of Sports Clubs, Libraries, Community Centres and Schools.

Another aspect of the RIP was the donation of sport gears and equipment which seeks to provide the youths with the tools to enhance livelier and more functional organisations thus allowing the activities they seek to engage in with more purpose and moral value.
At each location Minister of Home Affairs, Clement Rohee urged the youths to make full use of the facilities for their self-development.
“You must be committed towards this development for the equipment and the project to have any influential change,” he said. It is anticipated that the use of the various facilities will have positive impacts on the youths and will go a far way in removing some of the stigma attached to the community. Minister Rohee also urged resident s to take care of what was given to them, noting that some are not so fortunate.
CSP’s Community Action Specialist, Rosanne Purnwasie said that developing a community is not a just about rehabilitating a building; but rather it is about rehabilitating an individual’s life. She noted that the aim of this project is providing an equipped space in which the residents, particularly youths, can learn and become involved in meaningful activities.
Over the next few weeks, the CSP will be commissioning several more RIPs in Regions Four and Six.