RESIDENTS of Jawalla in Region Seven will benefit from an $8 million investment in youth, culture and sports development following commitments made during a government outreach in the community on Sunday.
The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport pledged $7 million to support cultural and sporting activities, while the Ministry of Natural Resources will provide an additional $1 million to further boost community development.
Toshao of Jawalla, Verron Henry-Williams, welcomed the support, describing the visit as a long-awaited opportunity for residents to engage directly with government officials.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI), she disclosed that the fund will help to create more opportunities for young people.
“Seven million was requested, and I understand that it will be handed over. That is to offset expenses in cultural training schools,” Williams explained.
During the outreach, Minister of Natural Resources, Vickram Bharrat, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to partnering with indigenous communities to address development challenges and improve opportunities for residents.
The minister emphasised that meaningful progress requires collaboration among government agencies, community leaders, parents and residents.
“We’ve got to work together on fixing issues,” Minister Bharrat said.
Additionally, the funding comes as a boost to the community with a rich sporting tradition.
Jawalla is widely known across the Upper Mazaruni for its active participation in the annual Upper Mazaruni District Games, one of the largest sporting and cultural events in the hinterland.
The games bring together athletes from villages such as Paruima, Waramadong, Kako and Kamarang to compete in football, cricket, volleyball, athletics, and archery.
Jawalla has frequently hosted and competed for top honours at the games, earning a reputation as one of the Upper Mazaruni’s leading sporting communities.
The combined $8 million commitment is expected to strengthen sports development, preserve cultural traditions and support youth engagement in Jawalla.
Jawalla has frequently hosted and competed for top honours at the games, earning a reputation as one of the Upper Mazaruni’s leading sporting communities.
The combined $8 million commitment is expected to strengthen sports development, preserve cultural traditions and support youth engagement in Jawalla. (DPI)
