Charity residents unite to tackle social issues
– Department of Social Cohesion to aid in tackling issues
– residents draft solutions to counteract problems in the community
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Residents of Charity, Region Two, Pomeroon-Supenaam, Essequibo have united to address social issues affecting members of their community.
The decision was taken following an engagement between the Ministry of the Presidency, Department of Social Cohesion and various community stakeholders at the WD’s Mall, Roof Garden Charity, Tuesday last.
More than 60 participants from the education, health, religious, public and private sectors attended the event.
According to Sharon Patterson, Programme Coordinator of the Department of Social Cohesion, the event was a follow-up session with Charity residents to address and resolve issues affecting them. She noted that the exercise was also aimed at promoting social cohesion among the residents.
“This is our first stakeholder forum, we have had training and sensitisation programmes. But this is the first programme where we have exclusively set aside time to hear the concerns of the citizens and determine how, as a department, we can collaborate with others to make a difference,” Patterson said.
Throughout the all-day session, the residents highlighted several issues affecting the community, ranging from the unsanitary conditions in Charity, drugs and alcohol use, suicide, the overloading and speeding of minibuses among others. The participants were divided into groups where they identified possible solutions to address the issues. Several participants lauded the ministry’s stakeholder’s forum and noted the positive outcomes of the session.
Charity resident, Omkar Persaud said, “Initially when I was invited to this forum I never imagined what would have transpired. I am happy I came because it was very interactive and people had the opportunity to identify the challenges within the community. If we can have more sessions like this it would do wonders for us.”
Adding that the session was a success, Charity Resident Marva Fraser said, “I have learned a lot and I would say unity is strength, without unity you cannot do anything. We all need to unite to build our community. I thank the ministry for organizing this forum”.
The Department of Social Cohesion is expected to continue more stakeholders’ sessions across the various regions in Guyana.
Crystal Stoll.
Images: Anil Seelall.