HEYS, a second lease on life – young Reg. 8 beneficiary
― more young people from Reg. 8 benefitting from HEYS
― Gov’t remains committed to youth development
DPI, Guyana, Saturday, April 27, 2019
For Amanda John, a school drop-out, the Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) was a second lease on life. The Region 8 entrepreneur said the programme gave her confidence and equipped her with the skills to manage her chicken farm efficiently.
HEYS was initiated under the Coalition Government in 2015.
John’s remarks came on the heels of the transformation of 15 youth lives as the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Indigenous People’s Affairs continues its disbursement of stimulus grants.
The young people hailed from Campbelltown, Princeville and Micobie, all in the Potaro-Siparuni Region. With the addition of the three communities, there are now 23 Indigenous Villages and satellite settlements that have benefited from HEYS in Region 8.
Marbel Thomas, Toshao of Campbelltown, was in high praise of the HEYS programme which she said has tremendously transformed the lives of Indigenous youth in the village. She cited several new thriving businesses that were formed as a direct result of the HEYS stimulus grants.
Minister of Indigenous People’s Affairs Sydney Allicock, in his remarks, stressed the importance of youth and entrepreneurial development across Guyana.
“We have identified some persons who have demonstrated their capacity and interest for youth entrepreneurship, and we are committed to helping them.”
The minister noted the creation of entrepreneurs is one of the government’s main goals. He further reiterated that “We are on an irreversible path of development.”
Elinie Marks, a 26-year-old mother of two, told the Department of Public Information (DPI) that the project has also endowed her with critical life development skills, entrepreneurial experience, and budgeting and saving skills. “I want to thank the Government for this opportunity for making me into the person I am now.” Mark’s now operates a Grocery store and helps manage the Village shop’s finances.
Candace Edwards, another recipient, told the story of how she was an ordinary housewife until HEYS impacted her life in 2016. “I was excited to join because of the opportunity this provides to develop. I got enlisted in the programme which enhanced my skills in catering, budgeting and agriculture,” Edwards now operates a small, successful over-the-counter Pharmacy. She explained that the idea for the pharmacy stemmed mainly from the dire need for household medicine products in her community. “I also ventured into cosmetics, school accessories and catering.”
Participants were charged with maintaining their entrepreneurial projects and utilising the grants efficiently.
In Region 8, Chenapau, Kato, Monkey Mountain, Kopinang, Waipa, Bamboo Creek, Itabac, Chiung Mouth and Paramakatoi are among the villages that have directly benefitted from HEYS.
HEYS was designed and launched in October 2015. The initiative is a flagship programme that provides training for 4,000+ hinterland youth; it has led to the creation of over 2,000 small businesses. Through this programme, the APNU+AFC Government has, over the last three years, invested more than $2B in hinterland youth empowerment.
Nateshia Isaacs.
Images: Tejpaul Bridgemohan.