St. Francis and UNICEF focus on developing young people in Orealla

May 04, 2009 News

NEW AMSTERDAM , BERBICE – Young persons in Orealla and Siparuta do not intend to be left behind. They are taking the necessary steps to empower themselves through training, implementation of small community based projects and exposure to several ventures which they are hoping to implement in their respective communities.

Members of the Orealla/Siparuta Sports, Youth and Culture Organisation on tour

The St. Francis Community Developers, of Rose Hall Town, Corentyne, in collaboration with UNICEF is making a reality of their dream of a better standard of living.

According to President of the St. Francis Community Developers, Alex Foster, this shift in gear came about after members of the St. Francis Community Developers visited the Amerindian reservations sometime ago and saw the plight of young people there. They lacked many opportunities, longed for a chance to modify their situation and to prove that they too deserve a piece of the pie.

During the past three months St. Francis Community Developers in collaboration with UNICEF conducted a number of activities in these communities.

The St. Francis Community Developers, in collaboration with UNICEF carried out a need-assessment on social services in both communities. Based on the findings, several programmes were decided upon, and this was with the input of the young people. The young ones, who were very candid, indicated that were not getting the necessary help they needed and as such were stifled.

The two agencies decided to implement voluntary counseling and testing projects to ensure that the un-served areas in Region Six are targeted. This means that the residents in those localities would be empowered and mobilized to make use of the testing services.

The tactic is to implement this project through sports and the young people.

In March, the members of the St. Francis Community Developers travelled to Orealla and Siparuta to determine how to implement badly needed projects.

Thirty persons who were selected by youth leaders and they were involved in a four-day UNICEF funded peer education workshop from April 6. During these sessions they were tasked with the responsibility of identifying projects that would create awareness, and empower the young people by utilizing their newly acquired skills.

Subsequently the Orealla/

Siparuta Sports, Youth, and Culture Organization came into being. It has a total membership of 230 and is headed by Paul Moore. It is the umbrella body for all the youth organizations within the two communities.

In addition, the St. Francis Community Developers and UNICEF also handed over sports gear to both communities, held community outreach programmes, and sensitization sessions. Some 300 persons were tested for HIV and blood pressure, pregnancy, blood sugar, and cholesterol tests were also done. Peer education sessions were held and 30 persons were targeted. The young people also benefited from capacity building exercises through sports.

The St. Francis Community Developers and UNICEF established, as well, HIV/AIDS health spaces to sensitize residents.

Over the weekend some 30 members of the group were brought out to the coastland, compliments of UNICEF, where they visited several sites between the Corriverton and New Amsterdam. It comprised the President of the organization Paul Moore , Lennie Lowe a newly elected councilor, the Visitors’ Clerk, and four teachers among others.

The aim was for them to have a first hand look at how some projects are done and facilities that can be set up in their respective reservation.

The group was taken to many of the support groups of the St. Francis Community Developers including the Swing Star Community Developers at Number Fifty-eight Village and the Mibicuri Community Developers.

One of the stops was at the Felix Austin Police College at Adventure. They were informed, inter alia, of the benefits of becoming a law enforcement officer and how become a part of the Guyana Police Force.

They also met with the President of the Central Corentyne Chamber of the Commerce Bhigroog Poonai who promised them a free booth at the upcoming Berbice Expo and Trade Fair in July. They visited the Probation and Social Services Officer at Whim, who listened to the concerns and promised to visit the communities to iron out some situations. They asked for full time probation and social service officers in the area.

The 32 members of the, Orealla/Siparuta Sports, Youth and Culture Organization, who are on tour also visited the All St. Presbyterian Pre-School in New Amsterdam . After those in charge of that facility shared their ‘know-how’, the group met with media representatives at that location.