By Michel Outridge

Not very many people would do what he is doing for the youths and young men of his village but he is doing it to enhance the lives of the people and not for fame.

Mark David is a resident of Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke/Linden Highway, who is taking money out of his own pockets to purchase cement for the youths in the community to make blocks for sale.

This initiative was conceptualised a few weeks ago when he was told the plight of many young men in the village who are jobless.

David then used his money and gifted four young men to buy cement after which they began making cement blocks at his residence.

The cement blocks would be sold and the profit would be divided and they would continue the process in order to earn a steady income.

David told the Pepperpot Magazine that he decided to give the youths a start to earn a living because he is aware they are unemployed.

The cement blocks are usually sold to people who are constructing houses in the community and David would also let them use his vehicle to transport the blocks to the location.

“I am not looking for fame or anything it is my humble contribution to the young people to do something with their life because nothing much happens around here,” he said.

He is the lone occupant in his street which is located deep within the village where the lands around him are overgrown by thick bushes because they are

owned by people who have not yet built anything on it.

David has been dwelling in the community for the past 20 years but had left and returned three years ago.

“This is my way of giving back to the community because I want the young men to have a future and not being idle so they have work right here and it makes me feel good they are occupied,” he said.

The initiative started four weeks ago and when the Pepperpot Magazine visited the young men were engaged in rapid block making in David’s backyard.

David has a kitchen garden and a duck farm, all of which are for domestic use and would often give away to villagers when it is too much.

However, he disclosed that without enough potable water he is unable to plant more because of the dry spell they are facing presently and the lack of water is causing the crops to die since the soil composition is sand.

“The youths want to work but their options are limited- is either they cut wood or burn coals so giving work is keeping them out of trouble because whole day you used to see them walking around doing nothing,” he said.

David revealed that a lot of young people in the community are qualified but have no jobs and it is sad to see some are wasting away their youthful days.

“We want these lands to be occupied by the people within this village and the youths must benefit,” he said.

The young professional
Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met Athena Little, an Environmental Consultant with a private company based in Georgetown.

She is a volunteer in her community, giving back her services to keep the place clean and tidy and is part of a youth group.

Little reported that the 2 K’s Kuru Kuru Youth Group started two years ago and within that period they have collectively accomplished much.

Today, August 30, they have planned a clean-up exercise in which 15 youths will come together for that cause.

“The village not looking good right now with the garbage pile-up so we want to clean it up; make it more presentable,” she said.

They have participated in Spelling Bees and won and competed in essays and craft exercises and did well.

Little added that they have 20 members in the youth group but some are not active while others are there to assist.

Indoor activities are held in the Coop Society Hall building in the village and they would often have outdoor trips as well such as hiking but since the pandemic, they have limited their meetings.

She is one of many young people in the village who are aiming for the stars.