Yes I am still in Guyana, even though it has been a couple of months since I updated my blog. I am heading back to Canada on March 17th and will spend a couple of weeks in Ontario visiting family before I drive back to the Island.I have had lots of journeys, interesting work and met some of the best people since my last post. I have posted some of my photos on Facebook if you are interested. https://www.facebook.com/jan.link.127
My role with Cuso Guyana has been to work with existing and potential partners that provide programs for youth in three areas; Employment & Entrepreneurship, Participation and Voice and Access to Justice. Before going home I really want to share with you some of the activities I have been doing with a variety of organizations and the difference they make in Guyana.
Caribbean Team
Cuso International's work is done through many passionate and caring volunteers who all need to raise $2000.00 each. For every $2000.00 a volunteer raises, CIDA contributes $9,000 so we can continue to provide volunteers to organizations such as the ones that I described below.
I too have to raise some money so if you are interested in helping me I have attached the link to my fundraising page. http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=2052027&langPref=en-CA
Women Across Differences - https://www.facebook.com/WomenAcrossDifferences
WAD is a national network of women committed to serve individual and vulnerable groups through education, empowerment and advocacy to promote social change. I introduced you to WAD in my last blog, Cassy and I have continued to work with them doing some strategic planning and financial management.
Youth Challenge Guyana http://ycgi.org/
Another amazing organization that provides programs and services in a number of regions in Guyana. YCG has been running an National Volunteer Teachers Program with the support of VSO/CUSO for several years, they have placed over 100 volunteer teachers in remote areas of Guyana. They also have an International Volunteers Program for youth that provides volunteers from across the world with the opportunity to build friendships, enjoy an enriching travel experience, all while working on health, education and leadership projects in the community.
VCG employees and volunteers offer Voluntary counselling and Testing (VCT) for HIV to thousands of Guyanese in un-served and underserved communities through its mobile testing facility.
New Opportunity Corps functions primarily for adolescent offenders between the ages of 10 and 18 sent by the Courts for a period of training and social rehabilitation. The maximum time that can be spent there is 3 years, the minimum being 1 year. Unfortunately 60% of youth in this facility have been convicted of Wandering: “If any child is found habitually wandering or not under proper control or in the company of rogues, vagabonds, disorderly persons… he may be taken into custody by an attendance officer or other authorized person, or by any police constable authorized by the Chief Education Officer to detain children so found, until a complaint can be preferred against him and he can be brought before a magistrate.” Staff at the facility say that truancy and wandering is more often than not the result of neglect and/or other forms of child abuse by caregivers, this is one of the reasons why it is important for Guyana to implement restorative justice programs for the youth.
Kuru Kuru Training Centre offers one-year residential training and facilities for youths between the ages of 16 and 25. The youth come for various regions in Guyana and learn skills such as Business, Carpentry, Electrical Installation, Joinery, Masonry, Motor Mechanics, Plumbing and Garment Construction.
KKTC Administrator Shabbir Ali, Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry Permanent Secretary Alfred King, KKTC top student Narell Henry, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister Dr Frank Anthony and Assistant Youth Director Devanand Ramdatt with teachers and the 2013 batch of graduates
Volunteer Youth Corps http://www.vycguyana.net/
| This organization serves youth in their local neighbourhood by offering an after school Math & Science Program and Big Brothers & Big Sisters. They also offer a variety of skill building programs for young men & women to help them get jobs and start their own business. This year two other Cuso volunteers are building a Career Development Program for high schools in Georgetown and a Job Bank. As in other organizations we did the organizational and financial assessment along with facilitating a strategic planning session with all staff and some financial management training. Deaf Guyana https://www.facebook.com/deaf.Guyana This organization contacted Cuso for a volunteer interested in assisting them with some organizational challenges. I decided to help them out in my spare time and have not regretted that decision at all. At DAG their vision is that 'Members of the Deaf community play a positive and integral role in national development' and their Mission 'To help deaf youths achieve their full potential and to improve the socioeconomic well-being of members of the Deaf community.' Since meeting these wonderful people I have visited and met with teachers at a few schools where the Deaf and mentally challenged students attend classes. They have a huge challenge to help the youth achieve their full potential; currently many of the teachers working with these students are learning the American Sign Language at the same time as their students and they have very little access to teaching resources, if any! Through DAG they get the youth involved in sporting and cultural activities and in some cases drumming lessons which the children love!  |
Another major activity is their annual theatre event at the National Cultural Centre.  |
| Guyana Youth Business Trust http://www.youthbusiness.biz/ The Guyana Youth Business Trust (GYBT) was established in Feb 2000 with the objective of increasing economic opportunities for young people (aged 18-35yrs) interested in becoming entrepreneurs but who cannot access conventional financing. GYBT provides loans for starting small business without collateral or guarantees. To improve the chances of success of its entrepreneurs, GYBT provides mentoring, business advice and training in areas of entrepreneurship development, record keeping and marketing.  July 2013 group of new entrepreneurs |
| Quality Rice Co-operative Through a personal connection I had the opportunity to assist a group of rice farmers on the East Coast develop an action plan to work with a local rice mill.. I had a great time meeting and working with these farmers; I was able to tour the rice mill, learn about processing rice and then after working hard we went to one of their homes for curry duck, roti, channa and a fresh fruit salad.  Guyana Small Business Bureau - We have just started our assessment of the Small Business Bureau and expecting to finish in a couple of weeks. In between I am travelling to Suriname for a few days with two other volunteers, I am very excited to learn more about Suriname and I am definitely looking forward to a few days relaxation! Jan |
