–it came at the opportune time, says Selena Thomas
SOME 98 youths and 19 facilitators from six villages in Region 10, who are participating in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme, last week received their monthly stipends.The Region 10 youths are the first group to receive their money in the second phase of the HEYS Programme, much to the delight of the programme’s brainchild, the Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe.
Minister Garrido-Lowe met in Hururu with the youths and facilitators from Hururu, Wikki/Calkuni and Wiruni as Hururu celebrates its 2016 Heritage Day activities. The youths and facilitators expressed gratitude at receipt of their money, and noted that despite some challenges and what was earlier described by Minister Garrido-Lowe as teething problems, they are now reaping the benefits.
Selena Thomas, one of the youths from Wikki/Calkuni, said her stipend came at the opportune time — when the village is celebrating its Heritage Day activities.
“So far, so great, I cannot complain. We’ve been enjoying ourselves; we’ve been learning so much, and our teachers encourage us to apply it to our everyday lives; and (they said that) what we don’t know, the door is always open, so we can find out what’s going on. So the training is a plus for each and every youth in this community. I’m just sorry that it can’t be opened to more.”
Ryan Vanlewin said that while he is happy to receive his stipend, he is more grateful for the opportunity made available for him to be able to learn several skills, which will have long-term financial benefits.
Minister Garrido-Lowe said she is pleased that the stipends are available, but reminded the youths that “it is not a job; the programme seeks to prepare you for the world of work, and the stipend is assistance to you during your training”.
She added that she has observed with delight “the excitement with what the programme has offered, because you are supposed to attend classes half-day, but many of you choose to go through the entire day. I’m so happy to see that.”
JOY
Minister Garrido-Lowe noted: “It is a joy to see something working, and you, the youths, helping yourselves; and I am satisfied, and your Government has committed to ensuring that the high unemployment rate in the hinterland area is significantly reduced.”
Meanwhile, the three villages also received a number of tools for the agricultural aspect of the youth programme. Among the tools handed over by Minister Garrido-Lowe were forks, cutlasses, garden spades, water hoses and fittings, shovels, pruning clippers and wheel barrows.
In the coming days, youths and facilitators from across the country would be receiving their stipends.
The Hinterland Employment and Youth Service, one of a number of initiatives proposed and implemented by the David Granger-led coalition Administration to stimulate economic impetus and personal and professional development amongst youth who may be disadvantaged due to geophysical challenges beyond their control, was launched in October 2015 and piloted in six villages in Region 8. It was subsequently rolled out in 106 villages across all 10 administrative regions in 2016.
Currently, the just-under-2000 youths benefiting from the programme are upbeat in response to the curriculum, which has been developed specifically for this programme. Participants are involved in six core courses, namely capacity-building, life skill, entrepreneurship, eco-tourism, agriculture, and the flagship course: concentrated language experience.
Less than half-way into the programme, participants are already expressing great enthusiasm and satisfaction with the facilitators, who have been trained in the appropriate adult-friendly learner methodology.
Participants are given options to choose their desired vocational skills’ preferences, which could include, but are not limited to, carpentry/joinery, garment construction, cake decorating/ catering, electrical installation, auto-mechanics, masonry, massage therapy and information technology, among other vocational skills.
Responses garnered from both facilitators and youths indicate a growing desire for continuation of the programme in spite of a few minor teething problems encountered.
Aspirations of young males and females between the ages of 16 and 35 indicate there is a fresh sense of purpose, and results are beginning to change their standards of living as they enjoy the promises being fulfilled of a “good life”.
Therefore, the Government will leave no stone unturned in order to guarantee the success of this much-needed programme.
