YOUTH development in any country is vital since youth are deemed the change-makers of tomorrow. Youth play one of the most important roles in the steadfast development of any country. They are not only tomorrow’s leaders but also the anchors of today.
The Buzz caught up with a few of tomorrow’s leaders, who through their new show “Empower hour” have been sending shock waves throughout the local social media scene.
Shaqwuan Gill and Lydia Roberts, during an interview with this publication, expressed that “Empower Hour” serves as a platform for their voices to be heard, one where self-growth/improvements through learning from each other and interactions with many of the nation’s young people can be attained.

“Through this programme’s facilitation and interaction with young people across Guyana, I expect there to be widespread awareness of the rights and responsibilities of children, and that children will grow up with the knowledge and capacity to express themselves effectively. We will not tolerate being silenced any longer. Our thoughts, opinions, aspirations and expression matters. We are the future and it is our responsibility to ensure that we take charge of what belongs to us in whatever way we can,” Lydia articulated.

Gill further noted that the organisation in which they and the show represent is a trifold organisation that encompasses a leadership training company, a tour company, and a youth ambassadorship programme. Empower Guyana is dedicated to using its resources to provide awareness to human rights in all its forms but particularly child rights. It also provides the platform for young artists and other talented persons to showcase their talent through the multiple personal development workshops that are held all across to the country to every demographic.
“Our organisation’s target audience obviously consists of children and youth. We are of the unwavering belief that there needs to be more awareness raised about the issues that our young people and children face on a daily basis. We intend to allow our multi-talented and extremely passionate set of youth ambassadors to engage and facilitate conversations that help our youth to blossom in ways that they haven’t begun to imagine,” he posited.

When asked about what sparked their interest in the aforementioned initiative, Shaqwuan responded, “Personally, my interest in youth empowerment and personal development started when the founder of the group Mr. Panday gave me the opportunity and platform to reach out to less fortunate children and educate them about their respective rights and responsibilities. Growing up in a society where I was told to only ‘speak when spoken to’ and being disregarded in school by many teachers who opted to abuse their authority. I felt a burning desire to reverse the narrative and allow children, young men especially, to understand their right to free speech and expression, as long as it does not affect or harm others.”

In advising the next generation and future world shapers of tomorrow, Lydia expressed, “My advice to our youth is to be you. Being your authentic self in all situations and challenges
Affects the decisions you make. Invest in yourself, your creativity and health in the process of finding yourself. Remaining true to you will impact how you treat others and how you spend your time. Whether your dream is to become an artist, a dancer, doctor, and environmentalist or to be better than you were yesterday, work hard and accomplish those dreams.”

“Empower Hour “will be aired every Saturday from 15:00hrs on the National communication Network (NCN).