Almost 900 indigenous youths benefiting from leadership development skills – Region Eight batch latest to sign on

It has always been the focus of the PPP/C government to engage and involve indigenous people in the development of their communities and simultaneously empower them to contribute to national development.

Though the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, indigenous youths have been given a springboard for their and their communities’ development with the implementation of the Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurship Programme (YAEP). After being implemented in Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9 the programme now includes almost 900 young men and women.

Youths from Region 8 gathered at Kato for the launch of the Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurship Programme.

On July 13, 177 youths who hail from villages that include Paramakatoi, Bamboo Creek, Tusening, Monkey Mountain, Mountain Foot, Turuka, Waipa, Itabac, Kanapang, Kaibarupai, Chenapau, Kopinang and Campbelltown, Region Eight were inducted into the programme at Kato.

The YAEP is a project the government believes in strongly and will continue it, as it strives to foster youth development, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai said.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai being welcomed to Kato, Region 8 by youths of the village

Additionally, the programme embraces the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) and also ties in with the vision of youth development by the past and present presidents of Guyana.

She indicated that more and more investments are being made in the lives of youths, and this is much more evident with opportunities being taken closer to the homes of indigenous youths. This is in light of the fact that there is limited access to scholarships and other opportunities.

She urged the youths to use their energies now so that their future, and that of their children will be better. “We would like to see the transformation of attitudes and mindsets of our young people,” Minister Sukhai emphasised.

She highlighted that this is in relation to the fact that having visited many villages, it was observed that youths are not participating in village meetings and events as they should, and they (the youths) believe that the adults are responsible for their lives.

“You have to make young people see that they have a role in participating in public activities, that they have a role in participating in the development in Guyana…and if the young people are allowed to see and to discover their role, I believe that Guyana will be a better place; a developing country with young people at the center of development,” the Minister emphasised.

Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, staff of the Ministry and Regional Officers share a moment with youths of Region 8 who were inducted into the Youth Apprenticeship and Entrepreneurship Programme

Permanent Secretary, Nigel Dharamlall stressed that this project is a commitment by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs to ensure that all indigenous communities and mixed settlements are included in the programme. He explained that the Toshaos and village councillors were tasked with selecting the youths from their respective villages.

“This programme we expect that coming out of it that the young people of the Pakaraimas that you are the ones who will take your development forward,” he said.

Dharamlall noted that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs does not see the youths as agents of change, rather they are a part of a people’s partnership programme through which development is lead by the people. This is also a concept accepted and promoted by the government.

“What we believe as a government is that not change that will determine where we will end up, but it is choices that will determine where we would end up,” he emphasised. On this note, PS Dharamlall urged the youths to stay focused because the future of the North Pakaraimas is in their hands, and each of them must bring something new to the drawing board so as to advance village development.

Throughout the launch of the project, it was observed that there is a good balance between the males and females, an indication that everyone has a role to play in their village’s development. This is also in tandem with the Ministry’s welfare programme which focuses on the development of girls and women.

The PS noted that when the Minister had spoken about the initiative during her 2013 budget presentation it was criticised and now the youths have to prove the naysayers wrong.

“The PPP/C government over the past 20 years would have recognised that we needed to do more in terms of hinterland development and young people and particularly youths of Regions 1, 7, 8 and 9,” stated Regional Executive Officer, Ronald Harsawack.

He noted that everyone would be aware and can testify to the number of things this government has have been doing through the Ministries of Amerindian Affairs and Local Government, and the other sister Ministries, in Amerindian villages.

“We have over the years transformed Amerindian villages and brought the standard of living and the quality of life to a better extent,” he said. This, Harsawack added, is not withstanding the recognition of the need for schools, health care facilities, transportation and village councils’ development, however, there is a lot more to be done.

Harsawack explained that for the work to continue there is need for support from the village council and residents, and it is on this notion that the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs conceptualised the YAEP.

He emphasised that the Ministry of Local Government and the Regional Democratic Council are of the view that the programme is worthwhile since it contributes to building human resources.

The project which targets youths between the ages of 18-40 will see the Community Service Officers participating in many areas of their village’s development which include education, health, tourism and infrastructure. They are also expected to give support to the Village Council. Each CSO will be given a stipend of $30,000 while attached with the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs.

It was first launched at Moruca, Region One, followed by Lethem, Region Nine and Upper Mazaruni, Region Seven.