A GRANT for the construction of a youth skills development centre in the Waramadong Village seeks to empower and motivate indigenous youth in the upper Mazaruni, Region Seven with life skills.On Wednesday, Toshao of Waramadong Village, Clyde Henry was the recipient of grant to assist with the Grassroots Human Security Projects (GPP) from the government of Japan. A simple signing ceremony between the Toshao and Japan’s Ambassador Mitsuhiko Okada was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs boardroom, North Road, Georgetown.

Toshao Henry noted that the US$69,739 grant will allow for the live – in secondary and primary school children in the community and nearby villages to benefit from skills-training such as boat building, outboard engine repairs, forestry, carpentry, woodwork products, and small business management.

“It will allow us in that entire catchment area to redirect our young women away from the troublesome issues involving trafficking-in-persons by empowering them with a ‘life’ and personal development skills and attitudes,” Toshao Henry added.

The construction of the modernised building and provision of equipment is expected to be implemented over the next 12 months. More than 650 young people across the Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven district, including the Waramadong village are expected to benefit from skills training.

Ambassador Okada noted that the grant is part of continuing friendly relations between Guyana and Japan. The GPP seeks to promote cultural determination of the indigenous people.

“This ceremony demonstrates the building of strong bilateral relations between Japan and…Guyana not only through inter-government interaction, but also through corporative efforts from community-based grassroots level,” Ambassador Okada noted.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Mervyn Williams thanked Ambassador Okada on behalf the Minister. “It is the kind of cooperation that we believe is invaluable to the forward movement of our indigenous people, the lifting of their capacities in the various areas, but beyond that, this project leaves a physical structure that can continue to serve, (the communities)” Williams said. (GINA)