FOOD For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana and its in-country partner (ICP) Project New Nation, celebrated a significant milestone on April 30, 2024, with the inauguration of their literacy programme.
According to Food For The Poor, this initiative is targeting children from Nursery to Grade Six and is tailored to address the education needs of children facing learning challenges or disabilities by offering focused instruction in phonics, literacy, and mathematics.

Tabitha Barnwell, the Gifts-In-Kind Manager representing FFTP, underscored the organisation’s dedication to tackling education disadvantages among vulnerable children. She shared that the inception of the Learning Literacy Programme stemmed from a partnership proposal submitted by Project New Nation in October, 2023.

This proposal outlined specific criteria for student inclusion, targeting children experiencing difficulties in reading, achieving below 40 per cent in academic performance, and exhibiting signs of learning challenges.
The careful planning and commitment demonstrated in the proposal underscored a genuine concern for the education welfare of children in the community, exemplifying a deep-rooted care for the youth of Byderabo, Bartica, in Region Seven and surrounding areas.

“As Guyana undergoes transformative changes, prioritising the educational preparedness of youth becomes paramount. Targeting children with identified learning challenges aligns with the overarching goal of achieving [the] United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Four, which emphasises inclusive and equitable quality education for all,” she shared.

Barnwell encouraged the programme participants to believe in their ability to achieve their goals through hard work and dedication, echoing the ethos of FFTP Inc: “Renewing Hope, Saving Lives, Transforming Communities.”
Additionally, Jonnel Newton, Head Tutor of Project New Nation (which is situated in Byderabo, Bartica), highlighted the crucial role of the literacy programme in addressing the unique needs of children with learning challenges.

“The literacy programme began because of the need that we saw in the community. With the help of Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc., and other sponsors, we’ve been able to launch yet another session of it. We [are] very grateful for all those persons that [sic] are giving these children the opportunity to show that they have the ability to do just as well as any other child. I am very grateful for the parents as they have entrusted their children to us and I ask that they continue to support them, so that we can let these children show their true potential,” she asserted

The launch of the programme signifies a collaborative endeavour between Food For The Poor (Guy) Inc. and Project New Nation to foster inclusive education and ensure access to quality learning opportunities for every child. Through this joint initiative, both organisations are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children in Byderabo and beyond.

Food For The Poor (Guyana) Incorporated (FFTPI) stands as the largest charitable non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Guyana, operating exclusively within the 10 administrative regions of the country.
Over the past 32 years, FFTP Guyana has experienced remarkable growth, emerging as a pivotal force in charitable endeavours nationwide.
Guided by the core principles of “Transforming Communities, Renewing Hope, and Saving Lives,” the organisation continues to serve as a beacon of philanthropy and social responsibility.