Executive Director of the Environmental Community Health Organisation (ECHO), Mr. Royston King has indicated that within a matter of days, approximately 30 ECHO clubs will be established in Region 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni).
In a recent interview with the Guyana Chronicle, he noted that clubs will

be established in Central Bartica and then spread to other areas and communities.
The objective of the clubs is to raise awareness on issues that affect the health of the environment, create a forum for children to become involved in environmental issues, and to mobilise resources to protect and preserve the environment.
The region will soon benefit from health kits which will be distributed by the ECHO team and will focus mostly on personal health.
ECHO is an environmental club and a non-profit organisation that came about because a group of people and local stakeholders keep raising the question of environmental health.
He said the general idea is to have these clubs throughout the country.
King said that  after Region 7, the next target is Region 8 (Potaro/Siparuni) and discussions are currently ongoing with the Ministry of Education and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) to go to Paramakatoi in Region 8.
According to him, the major support to ECHO comes from PAHO and the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment, especially because Minister Robert Persaud has taken a personal initiative to assist.
He acknowledged that lots of private entities are involved in ECHO, providing materials and he is grateful for the support from the public and private sectors, the government and civil society.
He explained that supporting fundraisers are held regularly, including lunches, fish fries, raffles and bar-b-ques and at present they are working on an environmental fair.
Meanwhile, donation boxes have been placed in strategic places around the city, most recently at Scotia Bank, Citizens Bank and Demerara Bank branches and persons and business entities are encouraged to make donations to the very worthy cause, King said.