The President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana (PYARG) held its 15th award presentation at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) where 715 youths were awarded: 547 in the bronze category, 148 silver and 30 gold.
In 1998, Guyana adopted and launched the programme which is modelled after the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which was introduced in Great Britain in 1956. The Most Outstanding Participant award in the Gold Category was given to Teekaram Singh and Zimeena Rasheed from the Anna Regina Secondary School, Region Two. Special awards were also given to Micah Henry, Region One; Yougraj Rajhunauth, Region Two; Deuel Lewis, in Region Four; Mark Cameron and Shane Persaud, Georgetown; and Symyon Sears from Smythfield, Region Six.
The female most outstanding participants in the Bronze category include Athalia Wells, Mabaruma, Region One; Annalisa Alfred, Region Two; Lucius Hector, Parika Salem, Region Three; Natalie James, Georgetown; Nickesha Benjamin, Fort Wellington, Region Five; and Lydia Cameron, Silvertown, Region 10.
Region Six copped the Outstanding Region Award while Patentia captured the Outstanding Unit Award. Special recognition was given to those volunteers who served for over five years. These include Alicia Roache, Geru Gordon, Courdel Glasgow and Adel Lilly.
Meanwhile, Lester Rosine and Herald Alves were recognised for serving the PYARG for over 10 years. This year’s graduation was even more special because the PYARG is also celebrating its 15th anniversary, and this batch of graduates is also the largest, Culture, Youth and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said.
Brain power
The minister expressed his satisfaction with the fact that two of the gold awardees are also CSEC top performers in Guyana and one in the Caribbean. He stressed that this is a good example of the brain power the PYARG has. He also encouraged them to become roving ambassadors for the organisation. He emphasised that the organisation has been at the forefront of teaching youths about Guyana.
The minister explained that through the programme, the participants have been able to see many parts of Guyana including the Pakaraima Mountain range, Kaieteur Falls and the hinterland regions; while many adults have not been able to see these marvels. He added that the expeditions the youths go on give them a chance to better appreciate Guyana and simultaneously help them to become better citizens.
The success of the PYARG has been recognised in Guyana and the Caribbean where it is esteemed as a ‘best practice’. This type of programme does not only occur in Guyana, in this regard, the umbrella organisation, the Duke of Edinburg award is working on ensuring that all the participating countries are licensed to offer such programmes. This will see the organisation being rebranded and changes made.
Permanent field camp
While much has been achieved in the last 15 years, Minister Anthony projected that in the next five years, more youths should be recruited by the PYARG, more units and regional offices established, and a permanent field camp can also be set up. With regards to the latter, the minister explained that space for the camp site is available at the ministry’s property in Kuru Kuru.
Minister Anthony lauded the PYARG for its efforts towards addressing social issues through the use of ‘edutainment’. In recognising the value of that tool, each unit was encouraged to carry out similar activities in their villages.
The graduates were told of the opportunities that await them at the schools that were instituted by the Culture, Youth and Sport Ministry. These include the schools of music, drama, art and dance. The minister emphasised that these schools have valuable merits.
While encouraging the bronze and silver graduates to move towards achieving the gold award, Minister Anthony urged them to aid in the preservation of historical relics in their respective villages. He emphasised that while some may see this as not being important, in the years to come, they will prove their worth to Guyana’s heritage. The minister also commended the parents for their support. He also called on village and religious leaders and the business community to support the programme.
Since the start of the programme, about 17,000 youths, aged 14-25, were given the opportunity to be involved in activities ranging from skills training, community service, physical recreation, and adventure journeys and exploration. These activities serve to enrich their lives while at the same time be of benefit to their communities, the Government Information Agency (GINA) said.
