US-Based nonprofit, ICO expands its humanitarian work in Guyana

Apr 09, 2023 News

Kaieteur News – International Children’s Outreach (ICO), a US-based nonprofit founded by Guyanese-born Onica Charles has hosted its inaugural Easter Camp.

The camp was held in Craig on the East Bank of Demerara from April 1st to 6th and concluded with a grand end-of-camp fun day on Easter Saturday.

Children having fun at ICO’s first Easter Camp

Each child was given materials to make a kite at the ICO’s Easter Camp

According to ICO’s Camp Coordinator, Romario Saintjohn, the Easter camp signals an expansion of ICO’s humanitarian work in Guyana.

He explained that each day is packed with activities for the youth in the community.

“Each day is divided into five parts: breakfast, morning activities, lunch, afternoon activities, and a farewell routine.

According to Saintjohn, during the morning activities campers residing within the village of Craig, ages five to 16, painted Easter Eggs, built bridges with popsicle sticks and rubber bands as a Science Technology Engineering and Math project, listened to stories from Guyanese Folklore, spent time reading, wove friendship bracelets, made kites, and even learned how to bake hot cross buns.

He explained that “After lunch which is prepared by ICO volunteers, Veda Mohamed and Devika Persaud, campers settled down for the afternoon activities.”

“In the afternoons, campers participated in friendly yet spirited competitions. They made paper planes and threw paper javelins, and filled balloons with water for dodge ball on a hot day. The teen campers bonded with ICO volunteer, Christiano Whyte, through their daily football matches. While the younger campers enthusiastically followed behind ICO volunteer, Justin Whyte, as he led them through classic games such as 1-2-3 Red Light Statue, Hopscotch, Hula-hooping, and Twister…As the campers returned to their homes, they lined up to receive an afternoon snack and bid the volunteers farewell,” Saintjohn said.

He noted too that although all camp-specific activities had been completed by Thursday, April 6th, a grand End-of-Camp Fun Day was held for all children residing in Craig regardless of whether they attended any of the prior planned activities.

There were several side attractions such as a bouncy castle, trampoline, face painting, carnival games which was rented from MJ Party Rental at a discounted price.

“We also had an Easter Egg Hunt,” he said.

In an invited comment, ICO’s Executive Director, Onica Charles, highlighted the importance of having a haven where kids can freely learn, and express themselves. She indicated that the successful completion of their inaugural Easter Camp marks a new phase in the charity’s outreach efforts in Guyana and the Caribbean at large.

Meanwhile, the organisation is on preparations for ICO’s annual Summer Camp, which usually takes place during the July-August school break. Charles anticipates this one will be one to remember given that ICO summer camp activity is now coming back on stream following a hiatus due the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Camp Coordinator, Children having fun at ICO’s first Easter Camp, Easter Saturday, Guyanese-born Onica, humanitarian

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