HEYS training taken to Hururu, Berbice River

Georgetown, GINA, June 24, 2016

The Hinterland Employment Youth Service (HEYS) programme commenced its year-long training programme in Hururu Mission Berbice River. The 20 participants, ages from 15 through 35, saw the training as another opportunity to have a more productive life.

The first six months of the one-year training programme will see participants undergoing theoretical training in capacity building, English and mathematics, life skills, agriculture, tourism, entrepreneurial skills and sewing and welding. The latter six months will see them practically putting what they learnt into practice.

The Government Information Agency (GINA) recently visited Hururu and had an opportunity to speak with some of the participants on their reason for enrolling in the programme.

Renita Ignatius told GINA she enrolled because she hadn’t the opportunity to sit the Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) and missing out on such an opportunity placed her at a disadvantage; however the HEYS programme will offer the much needed boost to her life.

She added that taking advantage of varying community training opportunities led to her developing a business idea. She has acquired land and knows what she wants to do with it, but is uncertain how to progress from there.

“So with this (business idea) and the entrepreneurial skills it’s a boost… it’s going to teach me how I can go about doing this and the capacity building tells about budgeting saving and the CLE (Concentrated learning experience) tells you about the personal information yourself- how to carry yourself what you can do, what you don’t know ,what to do, how you can gain access to certain things, so I’ve enrolled in this thing to better my life and also I know I’ll be an asset in this community,” Ignatius said.

Lenroy Mc Almond graduated from the Kuru Kuru Training College (KKTC) after completing training in welding, however he lacks the skills and confidence needed to transform his life.

“I wanted to seek employment with a company but then after I realise that while here [enrolled in HEYS] I’m learning to become an entrepreneur, to own my own business, so that’s what I’ll try to do- create my own business open my own welding shop… I always wanted to do more with my life and I joined this programme so I can elevate myself to become an entrepreneur,” Mc Almond said.

Gracelyn Ann Campbell one of the HEYs facilitators said in the Hururu community there is a need for persons with such training, particularly in sewing and welding.

The programme that targets 3,000 indigenous youths in 100 villages in the hinterland have already been rolled out is several areas.

It is the fulfillment of a commitment to the indigenous youths, made by the Government to positively contribute to improving the livelihoods and standards of living for youth and young adults residing in the hinterland with an academic or non-academic need, irrespective of race, gender, religion or political persuasion.