YOUTHS being trained under the Linden Community Empowerment Programme (LINCEP) on Monday picketed the Linden Enterprise Network (LEN), from where they claimed to have been abruptly evicted.

The room was rented to execute the theoretical aspect of their various programmes. The youths expressed disappointment and anxiety over the decision to remove their belongings without their knowledge while they were on a practical session. Upon their return, the youths were reportedly greeted with a locked door and their belongings placed in front of the room, according to Dexter Copeland, founder of LINCEP, which is a programme under the Linden Youth Vision.

Linden Youth Vision was launched in 2002, but Copeland, who saw the high level of early school leavers in the community, was prompted to have this initiative on board to train young people in electrical instillation and air conditioning.

In addition to that, the programme caters for youths who have completed school but have not yet secured employment or tertiary education.

Speaking to the media, he said: “We consider it as a waiting hub to come there and wait to go to a job or to go to UG or whatever, so the space that they come there to is a youth-friendly space for the youths.”

Copeland said the programme is three or years old and the rent of $40,000 was paid by the previous government. Since the APNU+AFC Government took office, the rent has not been paid, and the NGO has been issued several letters by LEN to vacate the room.

In responding to the notices, he requested patience and for LEN to partner with them in consulting various organizations and the government for sponsorship.

He also engaged various organizations to stand the monthly expense, since the non-profitable organization cannot afford to do so.

“I tried to engage other administrators through the Regional Chairman and the Members of Parliament to continue the programme, because they are aware of the programme, they came to graduations of the programme. We don’t have rent, we are an NGO, we don’t have money; so we are asking the new administration to pay the rent (since) we are looking after the youths,” he said.

In addition to the training, youths of limited means can utilize the Internet and printing facilities free of cost for the completion of assignments.

“This is the only youth-friendly space that I am aware of that is doing something like this in Region 10 and Linden,” he posited.

Sherene James, currently being trained in electrical instillation, said the programme has benefited her tremendously, since she learnt many things in the field and is aspiring to be an electrician. She was inspired to join the programme by a graduate who is now at the University of Guyana.

“This affected me, because we won’t get to do our theory; and now we are being locked out, we won’t get to do our writing part of our course,” she posited.

The deputy CEO of LEN said the organisation does not wish to comment on the issue.