40 graduate from BIT youth empowerment training project

DPI, Guyana, Saturday, November 24, 2018

Forty (40) young people from St Monica and Kabakauri, Region Two graduated from the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment.

The young men and women graduated on Friday, November 23 in the disciplines of boat building, block making, electrical installation and small engine repairs. The training was facilitated by the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) beginning in March and June of this year respectively in the communities of St Monica and Kabakauri.

Minister within the Ministry of Social Protection, with responsibility for Labour, Keith Scott told the graduates the training is part of improving their future outlook.

“We’re training you to understand that you are acquiring a knowledge so that you can make this village and the next village into something so dynamic. You are not here to just learn, you are here not only to make money but you are here so that you can see yourself as leaders of tomorrow and today,” Minister Scott charged the graduates.

Venita Edwards, of St Monica, said she was happy to be a part of the programme. Edwards completed the boat building and small engine repairs programme. “Since I come to this class I’ve learned a lot,” she said.

Another graduate of the programme, is 21-year-old Christopher Simon. The Kabakarui resident is also thankful for the training. “I learned so much from this programme and I want to say thanks to the government,” he said even as he called for more such programmes.

Chair of the Board for BIT, Clinton Williams, commended the students for their achievements. He credited Minister Dawn Hastings-Williams for facilitating the training in the Pomeroon River communities.

“It is my fervent wish that you will utilise this glorious opportunity by displaying these exposures towards your own development as well as the development of your community and by extension the development of Guyana and in the end make us all proud,” Williams said.

Xeznovia Calistro said the programme was fun and challenging. “Our teacher told us to never give up. We tried and we came out successful.”

Toshao of Kabakaburi, Sherman Lyte expressed his gratitude for allowing young people in the community to further their education. He noted it is a lifeline to young people in the community.

Minister Scott donated an outboard engine to power a boat that was built by the graduates of the boat building programme.

Tiffny Rhodius

Images: Karime Peters

CATEGORIES
TAGS