TWENTY-FIVE-YEAR-OLD Nickalva Casey Washington, called ‘Nick’, had a low self-esteem during her school days and wished there were more people around to offer her the kind of encouragement she needed to get her through.

But she made it and today is a highly motivated and out-going personality who is endeavouring to assist others the best way she could. In fact, her desire to help kids and teenagers battle similar issues she faced led to the formation of a group in her community called ‘Angels of Destiny.’
Nickalva was born and raised in the city and spent most of her years in ‘A’ Field, Sophia, Greater Georgetown. She completed her education at East Street Nursery, Winifer Primary and St. Stanislaus College before pressing on to the University of Guyana where she obtained a degree in Economics.

Afterwards, being in the world of work for some four years did not provide her the satisfaction in life that she was looking for. “I felt I wasn’t fulfilled doing that work alone and I always knew I wanted to help the less fortunate and kids. I think this was in line with my purpose in life; to work with kids, mostly girls,” she explained in an interview with the Chronicle a few days ago.
And so she left her job as a coordinator with Trading and Distribution Inc, Geddes Grant to pursue what she thought would bring her the enjoyment she was searching for.

Angels of Destiny
Nickalva looked around to see the product of her environment; that young girls were becoming pregnant at an early age, were dropping out of school, doing

drugs, drinking, etc, and felt an earnest need to help them.
“I thought to myself that this cannot be all. I grew up with a solid background and certain morals were instilled in me. I was surprised that I did not gravitate more towards the negative side. I looked around and saw everyone going one way. But I made it clear that you don’t have to be a product of your environment. Not because everybody is doing something means that you can’t excel and go higher,” she said.
And so she invited a bunch of young girls from Sophia over to her house and expressed a desire to help them. They were all for the idea, Nickalva said, and turned up at her home twice every month to discuss social issues. “I realised I was looked up to and viewed as different. Sometimes people are looking at you and you don’t even know.”
Nickalva conducts training sessions with the girls, age 9 to 17 presently, and she teaches them about self respect, self esteem, leadership qualities, and other social topics that they are interested in.
“We look at movies with topics that they can relate to and we would discuss it. It’s amazing to see the feedback you get. We do skits, dancing, fashion shows, raffle sheet events, food sales, and outings. It’s amazing how they appreciate it.
Nickalva feels the girls are comfortable with her because she is also a young woman who can relate to them.

The month of September makes two months since Nickalva started the initiative and she is working towards obtaining a diploma in social work so as to enhance her dealings with the girls.
Nickalva started with 21 girls but regularly meets with about 15 every two weeks. With regards to funding, she spent her own money to fund events in the beginning, but now they try to organise events to raise money. The group would be happy to receive donations from anyone who might be willing.
“We have so many plans but they need financing. We are not registered so people are skeptical but if they come and see the work little girls are doing in their own community, they would be surprised. We are working on the registration,” she related.
In the meantime, Nickalva receives help from her mom Debra, grandma Brenda and friends Mario Mootoo and Toshia Mc Donald.
Expressing her feelings about the group, Nickalva said: “This has given me more fulfillment personally within than working for money. Of course I need a job but my passion is for helping people. I was always a motivator. If I am doing well, I want to see my friends doing well.
“I see this group going really far. I can see some of these girls growing up and becoming leaders. That’s what I see. I see a confidence come out from them when they get a good reception from a performance. As long as I have breadth in my body, I will be with these girls.”
The group meets at Nickalva’s home and can be reached on telephone numbers 646 3824 and 219 1157.

(By Telesha Ramnarine)