Latest update March 29th, 2025 5:38 AM
Govt to rehabilitate Region Ten youth facility
The Youth Centre in Old Kara Kara, in the mining town of Linden, will soon be rehabilitated so that the youth there can easily access several services which will benefit the community at large.
Several Ministers of the Government over the weekend visited the Region for an outreach. They visited several areas to hear and address the needs of residents.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe, led a team to the community of Old Kara Kara where she took the opportunity to listen to the concerns of residents.
Residents pointed out that they would like to see improvements to the Youth Centre since they believe that with adequate resources, youths will be gainfully occupied.
While visiting the facility, Minister Garrido-Lowe was able to assess the needs and together with the Regional Democratic Council representative, promised that those needs will be met at the earliest time.
The Minister said, “The APNU/AFC Government cares for our young people and will ensure that opportunities are made available to you to learn skills that will benefit you now and later in your lives. Therefore, I will make a Computer Training Kit available to you, our young people, so you can learn to use the computer properly. 
“You will also be able to print, scan and do some photocopying”.
Minister Garrido-Lowe promised that immediate action will be taken on the requests. These included changing a part of the roof, re-wiring and re-painting the inside of the facility and changing a section of the internal wall.
The youths are eagerly awaiting the transformation of their Center.
A mother of two said she would be happy when the centre is fully operational since her children who are in school, will be able to complete their assignments using the computers, whether its printing or photocopying at a significantly reduced cost as well as having those services in her community instead of having to leave home and execute same.
The community of Old Kara Kara has very resourceful persons who remain committed to the development of the youth.
Accompanying the team was a renowned athlete and FIFA Trained Referee, Lawrence Griffith, who also engaged the youth. He will be returning shortly to give a much needed boost to their social life as it relates to developing sport in the community.
One resident requested the acquisition of some chickens so that she can maximize opportunities in the poultry industry. Minister Garrido-Lowe assured her that immediate contact will be made with the Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) so that her request can be met.
Persons continue to benefit from the GLDA’s Hinterland Development Black Giant Poultry Programme (dual purpose chicken) which commenced in early 2017 and would receive the requisite start-up feed and other supplies. This breed of chickens after a certain age has the ability to eat leftovers from the kitchen.
Minister Garrido-Lowe also took the opportunity to share the success stories that are taking place nationwide, a welcomed transformation for Guyana and Guyanese.
Reflecting on the recent presentation of Budget 2019, the Minister also took the opportunity to refresh in the minds of residents, a presentation made by Minister within the Ministry of Communities Valerie Adams-Yearwood who said, “Those who cannot see that transformation must be suffering from a sad state of glaucoma.”
Among the transformational initiatives are restoring Georgetown to the “Garden City” it once was instead of the “Garbage City” Guyanese have got so accustomed to seeing; significantly increasing Old age pension which is currently $20,500; public assistance to $9,000 and providing scholarships not only for coastlanders, but also for Hinterland residents as well just to highlight a few.
In 2018 alone, 31persons from the Hinterland received full scholarships to attend the University of Guyana.
Residents were also updated on projects being executed by the Ministry throughout the hinterland and noted that similar initiatives can be realized in their community once there is that commitment towards change which will significantly improve the ambience which currently exist.
Bauxite mining is one of the main economic activities in Linden which has a population of approximately 40,000.
Through the Office of the First Lady, hundreds of youth there were trained and continue to receive training to becoming information technology savvy.
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