Berbice group seeks to empower residents

Apr 28, 2010 News

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PORT MOURANT, CORENTYNE – The St. Francis Community Developers at Port Mourant has taken on a new venture dubbed Project RESCUE (Reforming Education, Skills and Capacity for Ultimate Empowerment). It is funded by United Nations Development Programme through the Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion Project.
RESCUE is the umbrella body and uses eight Partners in Development all falling under the umbrella – Friends of St. Francis. RESCUE came into being after a two-year contract was signed by the key players on December 17, last.
It has eight sub-projects. These are being executed by the All Saints Presbyterian Development Centre in New Amsterdam, Albion Chapel Empowerment Centre at Fyrish, Turn Your Life Around Group at Kildonan Village, Shining Star Community Developers at Limlair Village, Eversham Community Developers in Eversham, Swing Star Community Developers at Number Fifty-eight Village, Mibicuri Community Developers in Black Bush Polder and Orealla Developmental Organization.
All Saints Presbyterian Development Centre is responsible for CELL (Community Empowerment for Livelihood). ROSE (Reach One to Support one and Empower) was undertaken by the Albion Chapel Empowerment Centre. The Turn Your Life Around Group is working on SOLE (Skills Opportunity for Lifestyle Empowerment). Shining Star Community Developers chose LIFE (Leadership in Innovations For Empowerment). The Eversham Community Developers is working on COPE (Community Opportunities for Progressive Empowerment). Project SAFE (Skills Acquisition For Empowerment) is being spearheaded by the Swing Star Community Developers. The Mibicuri Community Developers took on REACH (Renewed Education for Agricultural Challenges) and at the Orealla Developmental Organization on the Corentyne River, SLICE (Skills Livelihood Improvement and Community Empowerment) is in full swing.
On a daily basis each centre would offer, inter alia, counseling, talks about conflict resolution and if necessary put it into practice, social cohesion, remedial education/career guidance, outreach programmes, technical support and mobilization efforts.
What Project RESCUE and its other components are aimed at achieving, are an improved standard of living and more developed communities by using the actual residents, decision makers, social service providers and volunteers. These groups are using innovative ways to overcome any hurdles.
It also strives to enhance public trust, security, community empowerment and inclusion for all citizens with special emphasis on young people to bridge the generation gap.
The Coordinator for the Mibicuri Community Developers’ Project, Jacqueline Cummings-Johnson explained that her venture is targeting 20 farmers and 20 young people and deals with greenhouse germination/organic agriculture. This group is aiming at establishing the first greenhouse in Black Bush Polder and developing an organic model farm. Training began two weeks ago and so far the group secured a plot of land in Mibicuri South.
Material was purchased for the model farm and construction is to commence later this week. By July, the group is to begin planting the seedlings such as tomato, cabbage, celery and pak-choy. The idea is for Black Bush Polder to produce organic fruits and vegetables using natural waste products such as paddy shell and cow manure and reduce the need for chemicals. Other aspects of REACH would include training in carpentry, masonry and joinery among others.
Jacqueline Cummings-Johnson said these things were needed in her location mainly due to climate change and to give farmers an opportunity move away from traditional methods of farming to a somewhat advanced technology using less space and reaping higher yields.
In the Black Bush Polder areas, many farmers are looking for new alternatives but were reluctant to make the move into unfamiliar territory, but now with this new initiative many have indicated an interest to get on board as was evident during the registration process and outreach sessions. The other areas to execute the greenhouse project would be New Amsterdam, Limlair and Orealla.
As a part of the Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion Project, 45 persons between the ages of 18 and 25 were selected in Regions Ten, Four and Six for a pilot project for the United Nations Volunteer Programme. In East Berbice/Corentyne, the 16 chosen persons were placed at both non-governmental and governmental agencies as well as the private sector to serve for a two-year period. These volunteers are also used to complement the activities of Project RESCUE while bringing together the various stakeholders for a comprehensive range of service.
Last week, a top level team from the United Nations Development Programme, Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion Project, the Department for International Development and the British High Commission visited locations to get a firsthand look at RESCUE and its spin off groups and to ensure that the intended persons were deriving benefits.
President of the St. Francis Community Developers Alex Foster said that Limlair has the biggest piece of the pie and they are using it to rear in excess of 2,000 meat birds, create an organic farm and at some point to incorporate inland fishing. He spoke of the benevolence of the sponsors, expressed gratitude and lauded the collaborating partners and all involved in these ventures. According to him, United Nations Development Programme has been investing in his organization since 1990.
Guyana’s Representative for the Department for International Development Nicola Jenns said she was impressed by what she saw during the tour. She urged the participants of the groups not to lose sight of their focus despite any challenges they may encounter.
Head Office Department for International Development Caribbean Harry Hagan urged the groups to continue with the same passion. Since all funds must be accounted for, he is satisfied that his organization‘s money was well invested.
Resident Representative United Nations Development Programme Guyana Kiari Liman-Tinguiri, based on what he saw said that the ventures cover all aspects of development and highlight what the UNDP is all about.
Deputy Head of Mission British High Commission Simon Bond spoke highly of the level of commitment of the members involved in Project RESCUE.
Also a part of the visiting delegation were the United Nations Development Programme/Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion Project Manager Trevor Clark and National United Nations Volunteer Programme Coordinator Michelle Crimella.
The formal aspect of the function was held at the Port Mourant Office of the St. Francis Community Developers.
(Melissa Johnson)

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