Yarrowkabra youths gifted new community centre
─ facility to be used as a training hub for youths
DPI, Guyana, Monday, August 5, 2019
Yarrowkabra on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway is the latest village to receive a new community centre. The construction project is a partnership between the Government of Guyana (GoG) and the United States (US) military through its New Horizon Guyana Mission.
At the small handing over ceremony on Monday, Technical Coordinator Community Development Council of the Ministry of Communities, Eugene Gilbert lauded the US military on behalf of the government. He added that community development is at the focal point of the government’s development agenda, and any support is welcomed.
Commander of the New Horizon Guyana 2019, Colonel Ken Bratland explained that the community centre initiative is among other projects which commenced in February of this year by the team. He said there are two other facilities to be commissioned at Amelia’s Ward and Blueberry Hill. A shelter for women, he noted, will be commissioned in the mining town of Linden.
Colonel Bratland revealed that the four projects thus far were completed at the cost of $188Billion (US$900,000).
Tessa Waterton, who resides opposite the newly established building, told the Department of Public Information (DPI), that during the August vacation she would normally have camping and other outdoor activities for the youths. With the new community centre, she noted, much more can be done. “I live right over there, and when I look over here, tears come to my eyes. I must say thanks to the Government and the US Army,” Waterton said.
Chairwoman of the Horrowruni-Yarrowkabra Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC), Deborah Wong says the new building is a perfect gift for the youths.
“I am so happy that things are happening within this NDC. Now that a centre is being established here it will be used as a training facility for our youths, especially to empower the young women in this community… ICT Hubs will be transferred here so our youths can be trained in Information Technology,” Wong detailed.
Currently, several courses are being offered to youths in the community by various organisations as well as the Guyana Police Force (GPF). “So now that we have this building, lots can be done, not only for Yarrowkabra but other villages within my NDC,” the Chairwoman added.