– First Lady urges young people

By Ariana Gordon
YOUNG people have been urged to focus on their goals and aspirations as their future and the future of Guyana depends on their choices. Speaking at the 3rd Just Youth It Conference of Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI) held at the Pegasus Hotel, Kingston, First Lady Sandra Granger and Justice Roxanne George urged young people to be sure of what they want and work hard towards achieving their goals.
The First Lady said she has a number of initiatives aimed at developing youngsters and pointed to the Buxton Youth Development Initiative, Information and Communications Technology workshops, self-reliance and success workshops, caring for the elderly workshops and the STEM Guyana project.
The First Lady said the aim of the projects is to find ways to push young people forward.
She charged the youths present at the conference to volunteer and open their minds to ideas. This, the First Lady said, will ensure that self-reassessment is done.
“We have a responsibility above all to be open to education,” she said, noting that education is not limited to formal education.
She called upon the youths to ensure that they develop a culture of respect.
“If we want to build a strong society, we have to volunteer, be open to ideas, experiences; always understand that we must constantly reassign ourselves and the situation around us so that when we have to make decisions” appropriate decisions can be made.
The First Lady noted the prevalence of violence in the society which suggests that persons have stopped thinking and rationalizing.
Mrs Granger said young people need to be brave, fearless and refrain from holding back. “If we care enough, we can learn; find that spark,” she asserted, as she encouraged the youths to “do the best for yourselves and by extension your families and communities and your country.”
Like the First Lady, Justice Roxanne George urged the young people to work hard towards their goals. She noted that some may feel pressured to walk in particular footsteps but said, “Know what you want to do, articulate what you want to do…know what your passion is.”
Justice George said by having an understanding of what one’s passion is, one can work towards it. Like First Lady Sandra Granger, the High Court Judge called on young people to respect themselves. She said times have changed and so too has the level of respect meted out to peers, and the elderly. “Women, you have to command respect, conduct yourself properly at all times…chose your friends and potential partners carefully,” she said.
Justice George also spoke to the issue of abuse and charged all young people to “walk away from relationships that are abusive.”
“You cannot be of your best in any career if you are in an abusive relationship…be supportive of family and friends…help them walk away,” she urged.
Meanwhile, President of the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), Vishnu Doerga, said he respects the work of CANI, noting that with lots of hard work and dedication anything can be achieved. He called on young people to be serious about their education: “The more you educate yourself, the easier your life becomes.”
Doerga believes that young people should give themselves time to discover their passion. “Don’t see this as a big struggle…be a volunteer…give yourself time,” he remarked. Also present during the panel discussion titled Legacy, was Pastor Ewart Williams.
Williams argued that Guyana has sufficient resources for young people to achieve their goals and stressed that with “passion, energy and God on your side,” anything can be achieved. His argument was premised on social ills affecting the young people of Albouystown. He said many of the youths in that community are faced with many challenges and burdens but have worked their way out of those circumstances.
The one-day conference also focused on the creative industry and sport. CANI is the brainchild of Ryan Hoppie, whose father died during a critical period in his life. Hoppie was mentored by a role model who ensured that he was able to pursue his dreams by providing all of the resources needed along with advice.
It is as a result of the assistance he received, Hoppie created CANI in April 2012. CANI has become a youth-oriented Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) aimed at unleashing the potential of young people and service communities throughout Guyana and the world by fostering an environment in which young people are valued.
CANI has over 50 volunteers in Guyana, New York and Canada and has a number of signature projects, including the CANI Connect Programme, which focuses on conversations, educational platforms, tours and activities surrounding self-worth, community development, philanthropy and entrepreneurship.
CANI also has the annual Come Alive Shoes and Stationery Drive which provides students across the country with much-needed shoes and stationery for school. Thus far, some 700 students have benefited from the project.