YCG recommits to youth development, empowerment

Sep 11, 2016 News

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The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) has been making significant

strides in the enhancement of youth development and empowerment in Guyana via its many skills training programmes/workshops conducted nationwide.
Just recently the organisation, with financial support from the Oil and Gas Giant, ExxonMobil, embarked on a project to strengthen the inquiry-based scientific skills of children in Grade Five by expanding an existing programme to several schools in Region Two (Pomeroon/Supenaam).
The programme provided training and science kits to participating schools for teachers to be able to have greater participation of pupils in scientific learning. The training, which was developed by the Ministry of Education’s National Centre for Educational Resource Development (NCERD), provided a practical guide to using the science kits and tools for effective participation in science in the classroom.
The training was held at the CV Nunes Primary School and involved participation of students from CV Nunes, Taymouth Manor, Charity, Suddie, Good Hope and Lake Mainstay Primary Schools. This initiative first started in 2012 and has continued after promising results in the schools that benefited in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands/West Demerara), Four (Demerara/Mahaica), and Six (East Berbice/Corentyne).
About YCG
In an interview with the organisation’s Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholson, YCG was established in 1989 and is currently headquartered at Lot G Enachu Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellville.
He said that YCG offers young people from Guyana and abroad opportunities to utilize leadership and conflict resolution skills to contribute to community-driven development projects. The organisation implements projects that build and strengthen the capacity of communities in an aim to improve the livelihood of individuals across Guyana.
YCG has immense focus on education, entrepreneurship and life skills and health.
Nicholson said that YCG is not only focused on implementing training along the coastland but also in the hinterland. YCG, he said, will remain focused on delivering entrepreneurial skill training to the various hinterland communities where a substantial amount of social deficiencies exist. Nicholson stated that training programmes were previously carried out by YCG in Regions 7 (Cuyuni/Mazaruni), Eight (Potaro/Siparuni) and Nine (Upper Takutu/Upper Essequibo).

Human Rights training
Aimed at bringing innovation to the field of human rights, Nicholson said that earlier this year, YCG embarked on a strategic project which embraces the notion of exchange and cooperation among organisations in a number

of countries.
This undertaking is scheduled to be held in Romania between December 2016 and July 2017 which will see countries like France, Denmark, Italy, Peru and Guyana participating.
“The main aim of the project is to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations that work with young people to develop an effective, coherent, inclusive and sustainable framework for using human rights education,” Nicholson related.
He stated that during the training programme, the youths from the targeted countries will be involved in sessions that focus on human rights, inclusion and equity, understanding minorities, dealing with minorities and intercultural understanding.
YCG opted to be a part of this venture, since according to Nicholson, “for a number of years we (YCG) implemented programmes that bring international volunteers to Guyana and we have seen the kind of growth that it offers to persons who come to Guyana.
He added also that there will be a massive exchange of culture and so far, three Guyanese have been shortlisted to represent Guyana and will be departing the country in November

Challenges
Nicholson revealed that there has been a reduction of the amount of foreign volunteers coming to Guyana – which poses as a serious challenge for the organisation. He added that this is mostly due to these volunteers feeling unsafe.
However, Nicholson said that the three persons going to represent Guyana are currently being trained to share Guyanese history and culture with other participants to make Guyana a more attractive volunteer destination.
Another challenge Nicholson highlighted was the lack of Private Sector involvement. Like most NGOs, YCG needs the assistance of both Public and Private Sector Organisations. Though the organisation has the support, and shares healthy relationships with some Private Sector bodies, Nicholson insists that there is more that needs to be done.
He said that the organisation will be releasing its Strategic Plan to better facilitate and expand its cause. One of these initiatives is improving upon its relationship with other NGOs.
“We will be looking to strengthen our relationship with other NGOs. Although we do have relationships with other NGOs, it is limited to when there are resources available, but we want to strengthen so that we can do more together with the limited resources that we do have.”

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