$45M granted to 30 youth groups and individuals through YIPoG

– To develop projects to advance their communities

DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Forty-Five Million dollars was yesterday granted to 30 youth groups and individuals from across the country, through the Youth Innovation Project of Guyana. The funds will go towards the development of innovative ideas to advance their communities., through the use of either Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture, Mathematics or Spirituality (STEAMS).

Green Valley Organic is one such group. It is headed by Maleka Russell from Kwakwani Region 10 and its project is based on the value-added production of sorrel. The main focus will be the development of sorrel powder which is reported to have medicinal benefits. Russell said once the product is developed, it will create employment for young people within the community.

“After we would have developed the product, we will actually employ persons and bring them on board to get the project up and running so that we can then employ even more persons and keep the flow of money coming into our community” the young lady explained.

According to President of Infer Youth Group, Aderemi Prince his team will be developing a project that will benefit all Guyana. Prince said it was an idea he has been crafting for a number of years that will now be realised with the granting of the fund.

“The project is basically an air trolley that will be developed for airports. It will benefit the entire country of Guyana in terms of tourism, the economy and innovation and would allow the country to be ahead of most Caribbean countries in this part of the world.”

Director of Youth Melissa Carmichael-Haynes encouraged the project participants to ensure that those in their communities benefitted from their initiatives. The Youth Director also expressed confidence in the projects proposed by the youths. “We will hope that moving forward that your project will be a best practice that we can utilise, not only in Guyana but throughout the region,” she said.

Carmichael-Haynes said through the YIPoG and other initiatives facilitated by the Youth Department, the aim is to improve the lives of young people throughout the country and make a meaningful contribution to the development of the country. The groups were called upon to encourage other young people to take advantage of the opportunities being made available through the Department.

The groups and individuals will have up to one year to develop their ideas and present it to the Youth Department, starting January 1, 2019. However, to ensure that the monies are used as is supposed to, monitors will be frequently checking with those groups and individuals on their progress.

Isaiah Braithwaite.

Images: Jameel Mohamed.

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