By Vishani Ragobeer

THE Department of Culture, Youth and Sport of the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, has hosted a Youth Village on the tarmac of the National Cultural Centre in celebration of International Youth Day 2016.Director of Youth, Melissa Carmichael, noted that the Youth Village was tailored to “expose young people to the opportunities out there,” allowing them to familiarize themselves with various careers and volunteer groups which have an interest in developing our youth.

The Volunteerism Support Programme is the accredited “umbrella” for all support groups in Guyana, through which the Government provides support (through training, technical support, mobilization and grants/loans to all other volunteer groups in Guyana).

Several exhibitions were examined, and exhibitors shared their reasons for being at the Youth Village and their plans for Youth.

* The Orchid Foundation
Clinical Psychologist Dr. Mark Constantine, his wife Indra and daughter Seleena decided to start a foundation to empower school dropouts, primarily females, by providing them with training in areas such as garment construction, cake making, decorating and cosmetology. Dr. Constantine noted that this foundation has a Promotion of Life Programme in which it is encouraging persons to “Say No to Suicide.”

This foundation is also in the process of establishing a private school for youth in troubled situations. The school will provide both primary and secondary education at a very affordable cost.
* Demerara Distillers Limited and Subsidiaries
It is not unknown that DDL has been playing a keen role in promoting youth, especially youth education. Technical Training Manager of DDL, Floyd Scott, noted that the company understands its “corporate social responsibility” and is committed to assisting youths, especially those who have performed well at the NGSA but are “not fortunate enough” to fully fund their secondary school education.

He said that students/their parents would apply through this particular programme, and the students would have to write an essay saying why they need the funding. When (not if) successful, the students are offered a scholarship.

He also noted that DDL offers work- study programmes through the Ministry of Education.

* Guyana Sugar Corporation
The Guyana Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is also affording opportunities for youth “across the board.” System Support Manager (ag) Ms. Phillipa Valley noted that after completing one year on the job, GuySuCo would pay the tuition fees for its employees to further their studies in Guyana, and would allow its employees to study for four years at the Guyana Training Centre (Port Mourant), where their tuition is paid for and they receive a stipend.

Scholarships to UG or GSA to further studies in agriculture are also afforded to employees.

* Board of Industrial Training and Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency
This board falls under the Ministry of Social Protection, which provides training to out-of-school persons between the ages of 15 and 35, with much focus being placed on youth. Skills training in career areas for both males and females is provided, in addition to equipping persons with basic mathematics and English competencies and education in micro enterprises.

The Central Recruitment and Manpower Agency works hand in hand with the Board of Industrial Training. Here, employers from a number of companies advertise vacancies and the agency connects prospective employees.

Qualfon
Marketing and Brand Coordinator of Qualfon Guyana, Allison Boucher, noted that education of its employees is at the forefront of the company’s concerns. Focusing mainly on youths, Qualfon is offering Micro Degree Programmes in areas such as Computer Science, Photography and Entrepreneurship to its employees through the use of online-based courses from the Sacrecoeur University (Switzerland).

Focusing also on school dropouts, she noted that employment at Qualfon requires just basic communication skills and knowledge of basic computer functions. However, Qualfon also does have a programme whereby its employees are assisted with CSEC mathematics and English.

* Georgetown School of Nursing
The Georgetown School of Nursing has a “Nursing Assistant Programme” which spans 18 months, has a stipend attached, and requires only 4 CSEC subjects, with English Language being compulsory. There is also a “Professional Nursing Programme” which spans 3 years and requires only 5 CSEC subjects, with English Language compulsory. These programmes target youth, especially young women, in qualifying themselves in this profession.

* SASOD
The Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) targets helping youths of the LGBT community who are stigmatized and discriminated because of their sexual orientation. This Society endeavours to help youths who are “coming out” by providing support and some counselling to them, and it also seeks to educate people, especially youths, that persons with different sexual orientations are not “abominations”, but this is how they were born.

* Footprints for Today Foundation
Started just this year because a group of friends decided that they wanted to make a difference in Guyana’s Society, this organization comprises 18 committed volunteers and more than 70 seasonal volunteers who endeavor is “Making an impact today for a better tomorrow.”

Public Relations Officer Stacey Gordon noted that this organization strives to be “a bit different” by focusing on areas outside of Georgetown, on its “outskirts.” This organization has embarked quite a few initiatives in its first year of operation, among which are a clothing drive on the East Coast of Demerara, food drives for homeless people in Georgetown, and an Easter Outreach in Wakenaam.

Executive Secretary Khawn Rodney has said that not only is this organization focusing on giving back to the community, but also on “character-building” of its members.

The Footprints for Today Foundation is currently trying to organize a stationery drive in order to supply youths heading back to school in September.