Latest update January 23rd, 2025 7:40 AM
Canada supports Buxton Youth Developers’ project
In photo, from left: - Lennox Shuffler of the Rotary Club of Stabroek and Patron of the Buxton Youth Developers, Douglas Williams, CIDA’s Director General – Caribbean Programme (Americas Branch), and Raymond Drouin – Charge d’Affaires & Head, Development Cooperation of the High Commission of Canada
On Monday, last, Douglas Williams, CIDA’s Director General – Caribbean Programme (Americas Branch), Canadian Director to the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and Raymond Drouin, Charge d’Affaires, Head, Development Cooperation of the High Commission of Canada signed an Amended Contribution Agreement with Buxton Youth Developers (BYD), a community-based group that is addressing the challenges facing youth in that and surrounding villages, through the medium of literacy, education and sports activities.
The amended agreement builds on the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives’ (CFLI) earlier contribution of G$2,413,000 in 2009, towards the phased development of the Vigilance Community Ground and included levelling of this community sports ground, installation of bleacher stands and a sanitary block to facilitate competitive sports activities.
The overall cost of the second phase of this project is approximately G$5.9 million of which CFLI’s new contribution will provide G$5,000,000 and the Rotary Club of Stabroek will source G$900,000. These funds will be used to construct a multi-purpose building at the Vigilance Community Ground for the direct support of the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD)’s Literacy, Educational and Recreational Project, which is aimed at empowering and positively motivating the young people of Buxton and surrounding areas, while steering them away from the snares of criminality and other anti-social behaviours.
Specifically, BYD offers classes in Reading, Spelling, Writing, Math and Social Studies every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the abandoned Buxton Community Market from 4 – 7 pm., conducted by ten (10) volunteers. A community library is accessible on Tuesdays and Thursdays and sports sessions are also conducted on these days and the weekend.
In addition to scheduled classes there are regular motivational, life skills and cultural sessions, as well as larger scale activities such as Annual Christmas parties, Spelling Bees, Literacy Competitions, Anniversary Award Ceremonies, Cultural Pageants, etc.
It is anticipated that upon completion of the multi-purpose building, these classes will be conducted there. Similarly, the recreational component of the project, which involves organized competitive sports activities, will be greatly enhanced and further facilitated at the improved Vigilance Community Ground.
The Buxton Youth Developers (BYD) was formed in March 2007, the brainchild of Robin Phillips, a Buxtonian whose dream is to promote positive change in his community. Since its inception the Rotary Club of Stabroek, Georgetown (RCOSG) has provided critical management support for the BYD. The Mission Statement of the group is “Regaining the glory of Buxton through Sports, Education and Culture” and the Motto is “Promoting Friendship – Influencing Change”.
The Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives expressed its delight in supporting this and other civil society groups and NGOs that are addressing social issues which affect the lives of Guyanese.
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