By Ravena Gildharie

MANY successful young persons have intriguing stories of their journey through trials to triumph; recollections of hardships and helping hands that aided their rise. But how many can attest to converting their achievements to help others, and being the change they want

in society? Take Ryan Hoppie, perhaps more famous for winning the 2013 GTT Jingle Competition, than for his impactful youth development work that has already reached thousands of Guyanese youngsters.

When he took the stage five years ago during the competition, Hoppie’s singing quickly captured the hearts of judges and audiences, and he earned the champion’s title. Though he successfully pursued other music projects, Hoppie is more driven as a youth ambassador. Whether he’s fitting a pair of new shoes on the feet of a child in a depressed community or mentoring a troubled youth, Hoppie is the epitome of a big brother; that symbol of hope when life seems burdened. After all, it’s personal, as Hoppie, a former resident of Lodge, now age 30, recalls his own dull period when someone’s compassion inspired him.

“When I about 16 and preparing to write CXC, my father passed away…he was the primary breadwinner so the financial challenges were many. I didn’t even know how I was going to pay for my subjects and whether I was going to get to write CXC at all. Plus, I had two other siblings living with me,” related Hoppie, a former St. Joseph High student, who has

11 other siblings.

In the midst of his woes, Hoppie’s pastor and youth mentor reached out.
“He paid for everything. My CXC fees, my books and stationery and helped take care of not only me but my siblings. That was a defining moment, it was one of the most selfless acts I had ever seen when you are in a real down, dark place and somebody just steps in and help,” the Queens Young Leader told the Pepperpot.

‘COME ALIVE’
Hoppie successfully attained all 11 subjects he wrote at CXC. He then secured a B.Sc. in International Relations at the University of Guyana and entered the world of work. But his calling to youth work grew more intense and in 2012, he founded Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI), a non-profit organisation that “supports youth through the use of applied global perspectives to effectively contribute to a genuine and progressive community and global development.”

Offering a transformative mentorship programme, CANI has recorded the successes of helping troubled youths become entrepreneurs and seeing depressed teenagers blossom into community leadership roles. Held for 12 weeks early in the year, the sessions support, in groups and concentrate on a number of areas such a business, history, public-speaking etc.

Each group is expected to develop ideas for community projects in which participants can pursue leadership roles. The initiative seeks to embrace each individual in a support network to help them overcome problems, build self-esteem, focus their goals and go after those.

The sessions are conducted by CANI volunteers, which Hoppie said currently exceeds 80. He is pleased too with the response of stakeholders, partners and businesses/individuals that support the ventures, including the shoe drive. To date, CANI has distributed over 1500 pairs of footwear along with stationery to kids in areas such as Albouystown, New Amsterdam, Charity, Enmore, Linden and Mocha. While on the outreach, CANI volunteers hold

mentorship talks with youth and parents, promoting the value of education, disciple and morals.

The third signature CANI project is the ‘Just Youth It’ (JYI) Annual Conference, which started with 200 participants and is now attracting over 350. The one-day event serves as an inspiration platform for young people where they are exposed and motivated to think outside the box. There are panel discussions on various topics and they are usually led by influential national, regional and international guest speakers. Interactive brainstorming sessions are also conducted followed by field visits to various city establishments.

A very proud Hoppie reported that the Guyana Animation Network was birthed from one of the conferences that focused on animations while from another, a participant

conceptualised an idea for a Swap App, which is soon to be launched. Several other youths have started their own businesses based on the motivation, support and networks they gained at JIY conferences. And, that’s exactly the impact Hoppie envisaged though he once assumed he needed a lot of money to make it happen.

He was however nudged to act by a quote from famed African-American theologian,

Howard Thurman: “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

The ‘Come Alive’ concept inspired the name of Hoppie’s foundation.
A 2016/2017 Chevening Scholar who obtained his Masters in International Social Development at the University of East

Anglia, United Kingdom, Hoppie is also a Global Shaper and Youth

Ambassador Mentor.