OPEN Gates Community Group (OGCG) is a skills-training project designed to address unemployment and societal ills within the community. It falls under the umbrella of Eden Gates Farm, which was formed and registered in 2022 by a group of like-minded persons for farming and as a safe space for the community, but later evolved into a training facility for the common good of society.
From farming, they developed into a snackette, a recreational facility (safe space), a variety store, a meeting place, and an OGCG to facilitate training and capacity building for villagers in Parika.
The farm is multi-purpose: they grow long-term crops like citrus, and they raise fish, poultry, and coconuts. They hope to build a shade house in the near future to expand the farm.
The OGCG comprises seven administrative members, but 14 volunteers and ground support personnel are scattered across the country.
Eden Gates Farm will also be part of training people in agriculture, as well as getting villagers, especially those with small businesses like cement block-making and workshops, involved by taking on trainees to empower people, including youths and the elderly.
So far, people are responding favourably, but they need some more support. People are more excited about the training sessions that started in January this year in catering, sewing, computer, and mechanical training.
Parika, East Bank Demerara, has two housing schemes with about 140 households and an additional immigrant population of more than 40 households, so capacity and human capacity building are needed, but not limited to that area alone.
Dr Godfrey Washington, speaking on behalf of the group members, told Pepperpot Magazine that OGCG encompasses two aspects of training and development: human capacity building and community capacity building.
He explained that, with emphasis on holistic development for each participant, enabling them to be more grounded individuals, community welfare is a point of focus for residents as they seek to make their community a safer, healthier, and more progressive one.
Dr Washington added that, on the other hand, the Summer Camp is a three-day programme designed to build each participant’s mindset in survival tactics, emotional and physical well-being, and in developing good social skills among peers and mutual respect for individuals.
He related that OGCG is a registered not-for-profit non-governmental organisation geared towards community development through personal and interpersonal human and community capacity-building initiatives aimed at impacting the vulnerable populace within communities.
Dr Washington reported that, with just over three years in existence, OGCG has remained focused on the interests of the residents of Parika, East Bank Essequibo, blending civil society activism into many households as its membership increases annually.
“This was not a hard task as people eagerly support such diverse initiatives that continue to mould the minds of the residents, seeking togetherness as a community for a better future for their offspring within the said area, so as to avoid migration from within the community and rather become a self-sufficient and resilient community,” he said.
Dr Washington stated that, with this in mind, the substance of OGCG projects and programmes lies in addressing matters relevant to the development of Parika as a whole.
Some of the programmes and projects include the annual Family Fun Day, facilitation of the annual Amerindian Heritage celebration, annual Christmas Village celebration, Summer Camp, and skills training.
He pointed out that OGCG’s motto is simple and they stand by it: ‘Promoting cooperation, mutual respect, peace, harmony, and social development within our communities,’ and that their work revolves around that.
Dr Washington added that their annual Family Fun Day is geared toward bringing families closer and further supporting children with school items for the new school year, easing the burden on parents and villagers as well.
In addition, the Annual Christmas Village celebration is an event where locals get a chance not only to share love and joy for the season of giving, but also for many children to receive their first gifts heading into the Christmas season, he stated.
“With this background, members therefore seek to continue the work that was initiated in 2022 using modern technology and best practice as a guide in making the livelihood of our youths a meaningful one,” Dr. Washington said.
