… as MoM launches Youth Mentorship & Development Programme in G/town
By Feona Morrison
PRESIDENT Dr. Irfaan Ali, addressing the Georgetown launch of the Men on Mission (MoM) Youth Mentorship and Development Programme, confidently proclaimed that Guyana is progressing towards self-sufficiency in all industries. Furthermore, the Guyanese leader outlined his vision for a future in which the nation is self-sufficient and reliant on its own resources and capabilities.
The Men on Mission initiative, which aims to empower the youth through mentorship, skill development, and leadership training, is a fundamental aspect of President Ali’s vision.
The programme seeks to bridge the gap between the country’s young population and the opportunities presented by its rapidly growing economy.
In his address, Dr Ali emphasised the importance of preparing the younger generation to take on leadership roles and contribute to the nation’s development.
“We want all-round success in our country. We want success at every level. And that is why I believe strongly that the future that we are building for each other as Guyanese is a future in which we will be self-sufficient in every way. Self-sufficient in creating companies and business models to fulfill the requirements of the economy. Self-sufficient in the way in which we will create prosperity for each other and our country, self-sufficient in the way we support each other.
“Self-sufficient in the way we encourage each other, self-sufficient in the way in which we support communities that are more vulnerable than others,” he reasoned.
According to Dr. Ali, this form of self-sufficiency is comprehensive and will propel Guyana to greater heights.
Starting June 1, the Youth Mentorship and Development Programme will bring together 40 children aged five to 14 after school to receive mentorship and help with their homework from a diverse group of individuals, including President Ali, Police Commissioner, Chief of Defence Staff, and members of the private sector.
He mentioned that those needing extra help in subjects like mathematics and reading will receive support from the School of the Nations/Nations University.
President Ali explained: “They will have access to the internet. They will have compulsory counseling sessions, motivational sessions, that will be part of the programme. You also will have positive living as part of the programne. So, some afternoon when they come, they will do yoga, they will do karate, they will do things that will uplift them things that will give them a holistic approach and understanding of life itself…”
The Youth Mentorship and Development Programme is being conducted in collaboration with the private sector. The Head of State expressed gratitude to corporate Guyana for their dedication to corporate social responsibility.
The programme will assist the children until they are prepared to take the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations. Afterward, they will have the chance to pursue higher education either at the University of Guyana or through the Guyana Online Academy of Learning (GOAL).
He said that the programme is available to provide long-term assistance. “This is not a one-day commitment. This is a lifelong commitment to these children and their families.”
With a strong emphasis on education, leadership and skill development, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli, Coordinator of MoM, said that the goal is to empower children to reach their full potential. “At the core of Men on Mission is the belief that mentorship is a powerful tool for positive change. Our mentorship programme is structured to provide a foundation of support and guidance to young people. Mentors are carefully matched with mentees based on shared interests and goals, creating meaningful and lasting connections.”
According to Murli, MoM is optimistic about the programme’s outcome, noting that it will have a significant impact on shaping the lives of the next generation and Guyana’s future.
Speaking on behalf of the private sector was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ENET, Vishok Persaud, who urged his colleagues to contribute to the moral fabric of society.
Underscoring the importance of this, he said: “Progress is measured in so many ways. Success is measured in so many ways. But we must be patriotic, we must instill good family values in our young ones, in ourselves, in our communities, our homes, churches, masjids, mandirs. This is an opportunity, like many that will come, for all of us to contribute differently.”
The launch of the programme was held at the President’s Kitchen, Main Street and New Market streets, Georgetown and was attended by Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister with Responsibility for Public Affairs, Kwame McCoy; Chief of Defence Staff Omar Khan; business leaders; and representatives from various community organisations, all of whom expressed their support for the initiative. Similar programmes will be launched in the coming months in Regions Three, Six and Nine and on the Linden/Soesdyke Highway.
