CARICOM impressed by work of St Francis
CARICOM Assistant Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater hands over several pieces of literature to St Francis Community Developers President Alex Foster during his visit to the NGO
CARICOM Assistant Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development, Dr Douglas Slater hands over several pieces of literature to St Francis Community Developers President Alex Foster during his visit to the NGO

A TEAM from the CARICOM Secretariat paid an official visit to the St Francis Community Developers and Friends of St Francis recently and was impressed with the work of the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).St Francis Community Developers is headquartered in Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Berbice.
The high profile CARICOM team which comprised Assistant Secretary General and Director of Human and Social Development,  Dr Douglas Slater, Deputy Programme Manager of Youth Development Yldiz Pollock Beighl, Deputy Programme Manager of Agricultural Development, Dr Ronnie Braithwaithe, Senior Communications Assistant Tusankaine English Francis, Senior Communication Technician Rawl Ward and Senior Distribution Clerk Gloria Whitney had a tour of the complex and were able to see firsthand the facilities and services offered by the organisation.
In brief remarks, the Assistant Secretary General praised the St Francis Community Developers for the great work it is doing and considered it an honour for CARICOM to be joining with the group.
He also expressed intentions to replicate the good work of the group not only in other regions of Guyana but with other CARICOM member states as regional youth integration is a very strong passion of Secretary General Ambassador Irwin LaRoque.
Dr Salter said the timing for this collaboration is perfect since the Commonwealth Youth Programme is no more and CARICOM will use the opportunity to take up the mantle and further enhance some of those programmes.
He however stressed that it will require quite a lot of cooperation but it is possible since they have already started well and St Francis Community Developers can aid in the execution of a lot of the projects being put into effect by CARICOM since they interact firsthand with the main beneficiaries and are in a better position to offer assistance.

WORKS OF LITERATURE

The Assistant Secretariat General also used the opportunity to donate several works of literature on CARICOM to the organisation which in turn will distribute them to schools and various other bodies.
Also present was Region Six Chairman David Armogan who thanked CARICOM for their visit to the region and expressed satisfaction that they are collaborating with St Francis Community Developers. He also used the opportunity to seek CARICOM’s assistance in the area of youth employment.
Meanwhile, President of St Francis Community Developers Alex Foster in his remarks thanked CARICOM for their visit and recognition and spoke about the work of the organisation. He shared his personal experience that made him so passionate about community development. He also called on CARICOM to fill the shoes left by the Commonwealth Youth Programme initiative, and more specifically affording youths of various countries the opportunity to travel to sister CARICOM states to see and experience firsthand the other groups and their initiatives.
As part of the humanitarian work of the St Francis Community Developers, a number of wheelchairs were handed over to family members, through a donation by Food for the Poor Guyana Inc, in the presence of the Assistant Secretary General and his team. St Francis Community Developers donated 150 wheelchairs so far in the Berbice area alone.
Foster said that on a recent visit to the organisation President David Granger also endorsed its work and pledged his Government’s assistance while noting the need to replicate such work across the country.

Meanwhile, several youths from across Region Six were invited to be part of a discussion on youth development and the role CARICOM plays in youth development and integration.
Speaking with Guyana Chronicle, CARICOM Youth Ambassador to Guyana Jule Qualertan explained that from the discussions she realised they had a dynamic group of young people with great skill sets. Therefore they used the opportunity to talk to them about how they can actually use the skills they have, the need for training and collaboration with other CARICOM member states. Discussions were held on CARICOM, CSME and how they can be involved and what are some of their ideas for integration.

OPRAH WINFREY VISIT
St Francis community Developers is one of the oldest and most recognised community groups regionally and internationally. The organisation has received several international awards for their outstanding community work. Plans are afoot to facilitate a visit for world-renowned philanthropist and TV personality Oprah Winfrey as part of the group’s 30th anniversary.

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