The Canadian High Commission handed over the multi-purpose building to the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD) group at a ceremony at the Vigilance Community Ground, East Coast Demerara.
Raymond Drouin, head of development cooperation of the High Commission of Canada, handed over the facility on July 27.
Raymond Drouin of the Canadian High Commission addressing the audience at the handing over ceremony
The Canadian High Commission said in a release that the Buxton Youth Developers group is a community-based one that is addressing the challenges facing youth in that and surrounding villages through the medium of literacy, education and sport activities.
Since 2009, Canada has provided a total contribution of Gy$7.4 million towards the phased development of the Vigilance Community Ground through the Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI). Phase one included levelling this community sport ground and installing bleacher stands and a sanitary block to facilitate competitive sporting activities.
In the second phase of the project, the CFLI provided additional funds which were used to construct the multi- purpose building for the direct support of the BYD’s Literacy, Educational and Recreational Project.
The project also benefited from the collaboration of the Rotary Club of Stabroek, which provided financial and management oversight throughout the process. The aim of the literacy, educational and recreational project is to empower and positively motivate the young people of Buxton and surrounding areas, while steering them away from the snares of criminality and other anti-social behaviours.
In his feature address, Drouin expressed his great delight to represent Canada at the handing over ceremony, and to have supported the initiative. He urged BYD to accept the gift from the people of Canada and to make optimal use of the facilities even as they scrupulously take care of them.
Robin Phillips, founder and coordinator of BYD, expressed gratitude to Canada for partnering with the BYD, and said he considered the building to be a blessing for their literacy work with youth.
President of the Rotary Club of Stabroek, Patricia Plummer, stated that the partnership between the agencies in the project is a reflection of team work and how pooled resources can achieve a tangible outcome.
The plaque was unveiled by Drouin, Phillips and Plummer.
BYD offers classes in reading, spelling, writing, math and social studies. These are conducted by volunteers. A community library is also accessible and sport sessions are conducted.
Additionally, there are regular motivational, life skills and cultural sessions and activities. The Mission Statement of the group is “Regaining the glory of Buxton through Sports, Education and Culture”, and the motto is “Promoting Friendship – Influencing Change”.
