The Varqa Foundation, named after a follower of the Bahai faith, killed in Iran, aspires to participate in programmes that try to tread new paths of community and self development.
Varqa Foundation is an NGO that aspires to increase awareness of processes of change to discover effective and appropriate strategies that will facilitate transition to a new society, and to participate in activities that would promote the well-being of all peoples.
In an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine, administrator, Abass Hamid, said the foundation’s programmes are based on the search for a scientifically and technologically advanced society in which educational, economic, administrative and cultural structures are centred on the integral nature of man, and not merely on his material aspirations. Development therefore would be assessed in terms of the increasing capacities of both the people and their institutions to address the spiritual and material needs and aspirations of the populations they serve.
The foundation works with young people in Guyana on two main projects: a literacy initiative called ‘On the Wings of Words,’ and a youth activist movement called ‘Youth Can Move the World’ (YCMTW).
The YCMTW programme is a one-year training programme presented by the foundation in collaboration with the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education (IDCE) of the University of Guyana. The programme is organized in two parts. In the first part, youths from around the country attend a 70-hour training course. In the second phase of the programme, the 70-hour course is presented by the participants in their local communities and on a weekly basis (in schools, community centres and youth clubs throughout the country).
Children at a workshop making volcanoes
Many youth-related issues are covered-including drug abuse, domestic violence, literacy, gender equity, environmental protection, HIV/AIDS issues, suicide and promotion of the arts. Another key element of the course is about ways to promote personal and community transformation. The material used in this course includes scripture from the major religions in Guyana.
Along with the facilitators’ manuals that are given at the first training, participants would also be given some supplies to take back to the community. Extensive use of the arts is made during the programme. Participants learn how to make banners, puppets and board games, and, how to write songs and skits. People who successfully complete the one-year programme would receive a certificate from IDCE.
‘On the Wings of Words’
Working together at one of the foundation's workshops
‘On the Wings of Words’ is a literacy training programme for volunteers and parents to promote pre-literacy and literacy skills in children and youth 4 to 16 years of age. Since the programme began in 1996, more than 7,000 facilitators from all parts of Guyana have been trained, and more than 13,000 youths have gone through the programme.
The programme publishes its own manuals, readers, workbooks, and newsletters, providing a comprehensive training programme for the facilitators and a successful reading programme for the children and youth. Funding was received from the Bahai International Community, the Guyana Book Foundation, the British High Commission, UNICEF, and CIDA.
Hamid noted that the programme aims to develop the necessary pre-reading skills to ensure success in early reading, the ability to decode words, comprehension, critical reading skills and reading for enjoyment. A second part of the programme aims to equip parents to raise children to be good citizens, empower youth to take control of their lives through improved consultation and decision-making skills, and increase self-confidence.
“These programmes are focused on the socio-economic development in the community-not only training them, but showing them to use what they learnt to help their community. At present we work with the Guyana Book Foundation, which is one of our main sponsors for our literacy programmes. We are currently working with the Tiger Bay children in collaboration with the School of the Nations’ sixth form students. They are mentors for these children in Tiger Bay and are providing lessons in music and literacy, sports and dancing. School of the Nations has opened its doors for these ones to learn right at its facility, and our foundation provides all the equipment. Ages 6 to 18 are welcomed but the majority are also from ages 6 to 13. We have involved the parents too as motivating factors encouraging their children to come out. Even the parents come out for workshops held for them specifically.”
Additionally, Hamid said these programmes have helped tremendously to improve the lives of many in various communities and so the foundation is determined to continue its work to promote literacy and moral education. (Taken from Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
