“WE NEED leaders like Abbigale!” declared President Barack Obama as he gave recognition to Guyanese Abbigale Loncke, who is participating in the US President’s Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI).During his final international speech and town hall meeting in Lima, Peru on Saturday, President Obama told the Young Leaders of the Americas: “After struggling to find her own grandfather a home care, she realised that this is a problem for other families, so she started Community Healthcare, a home care agency. She started out as a service to help families take care of their loved ones.”

President Obama noted that Loncke, who is 31 years old, created a social movement that provides training and job opportunities for young women in the healthcare industry.
“Thank you, Abigail, for the great work you are doing!” the U.S. President said, as Abigail stood in awe.

Loncke was one of four Guyanese chosen by the U.S. Embassy in Georgetown to participate in the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative in the United States, which began in October. Approximately 250 young leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean participated in the five-week programme, but Loncke was one of the YLAI finalists from 21 city hub competitions around the U.S. who competed in the final pitch competition in Washington DC.

Following that final pitch competition, Loncke travelled to Peru for the US President’s town hall meeting.

President Obama has committed to working with young people of the Americas to ensure their success. He said young people across the world are taking the lead. “The main message…I want you to know you have a partner in me and the U.S. Government, and we are going to work together. We expect the fellowship to continue, but I will also continue to be involved. We will continue to invest in your success; if you succeed then the world succeeds!” the U.S. President declared.

President Obama launched YLAI to build linkages between young leaders across the hemisphere, and to expand opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs and civil society leaders.

Over the five-week programme, the fellows learned and shared their experiences in start-ups, small businesses, non-governmental organisations, and similar entities in cities throughout the United States, and in partnership with community groups and American universities.

The fellows were also able to develop their business or social venture plans through entrepreneurship curriculum and workshops, and by working alongside their American counterparts.

The 2016 YLAI Professional Fellows selection team received nearly 4,000 applications for this Presidential programme. The other Guyanese participants were Dason Anthony, one of the owners of 592Dresses; Judason Bess, co-owner and manager of The Farmacy; and Shaunda Yarde, who founded Coconut Grove with her grandmother’s recipe in 2013.