Aiming to spread awareness of the horrific effects of abuse, especially child abuse, Comforting Hearts recently held an art competition encouraging youths to join their voices and talents to campaign against abuse.
This non-governmental organisation, located in Region Six, has been in existence for more than 12 years, and is considered the first established group in the county of Berbice to address the issue of HIV/AIDS.
The idea of forming this organisation came about when 19 persons, trained to be counsellors by the National AIDS Program Secretariat, decided they wanted to do more in the area of awareness/education and counselling for Berbicians either infected with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
One of its recent activities is an art competition sponsored by the Berbice Bridge Company Inc.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, the organisation’s executive director Simmone Bailey-Hoyte said that children between the ages of 8-11 were asked to submit drawings depicting the prevention of violence and abuse against children. The competition was won by St. Aloysius Primary, located in New Amsterdam.
“Talent recognized from the submission indicated that the students are very creative and thus were able to use their imaginations and express their view of violence and abuse among children. This is the fifth year Comforting Hearts has participated in this campaign by the Women World Summit Foundation (WWSF). We are a partner with that organisation,” Bailey-Hoyte disclosed.
The competition was a two-part project, the other a quiz segment, which was exclusively sponsored by Scotia Bank (Berbice branch). Copping the winner’s trophy was New Amsterdam Secondary School (NAMS). The student scoring the highest points also emerged from NAMS. In second place was a student from Berbice High School and placing third was a student from Canje Secondary School. In the quiz competition, 12 students from six schools competed. Winners received monetary prizes and also trophies.
Schools, according to Bailey-Hoyte, were given a tool kit to prepare for the competition as questions were drawn from the booklet. She added that Scotia Bank has pledged their support towards making the quiz competition an annual event.
“The main theme for the quiz segment was, “Prevention of the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography”. This theme was chosen by WWSF and not Comforting Hearts. The name of the campaign in which the art segment focused on was, “Prevention of Abuse and Violence against Children and Youth”,” Bailey-Hoyte explained.
Comforting Hearts is also currently implementing the Care and Support Project, Bailey-Hoyte revealed, for people living with HIV. It is funded by the Advancing Partners and Community which is funded by John Snow Inc. (JSI)/USAID.
Additionally, the organisation is also implementing the Peace Corps Vast Grant to build staff capacity, gender based violence counselling for children and youths, and life skills training for youths through Comforting Hearts’ youth arm. Some of its future projects include skills training for the community and construction of a craft shop.
Bailey-Hoyte added that Comforting Hearts continues to provide services in the areas of voluntary counselling and testing, home-based and palliative care, orphans and vulnerable children support (Nutritional enhancement, psychosocial, protection and legal, shelter and Care, Child Care Counselling, health care and education and vocational training), care for persons with other chronically ill conditions such as diabetes and cancer, and care for persons living with HIV and their families (nutritional enhancement, bedside care, health care, economic strengthening opportunities, psychosocial support, psychological support) among many others.
Over the years, the organisation has presented educational television programmes on HIV/AIDS awareness, held ‘street theatres’ (HIV education through the arts), walk-a-thon and bike-a-thon fundraising activities, child abuse campaigns, school HIV and AIDS quizzes and debates and many other activities to spread awareness and help those affected by HIV/AIDS.
“From time to time the organisation faces challenges relating to finances. The reason is that the needs of clients are so great, and the projects somehow restrict the organisation from providing many of these needs. Additionally, as funding for projects end, finances in sustaining these programmes are inadequate. The organisation welcomes any contribution from the public and will like the private sector to be more involved in supporting the various programmes of the organization. There is also need for skilled persons in the area of governance, finance, public relations and leadership, who can volunteer their services,” Bailey-Hoyte pleaded.
For more information visit Comforting Hearts NGO on Facebook.
