United to effect change in their communities and develop themselves as well-rounded individuals are the aims of the vibrant youth group, Youths in Unison, an arm of Roadside Baptist Skills Training Centre located in Berbice.
Youths in Unison is a group of young peer educators who are working towards positive changes in their communities. These vibrant youths are involved in awareness sessions in communities and religious groups on gender based violence, HIV/AIDS Education and other related social issues.
According to Roadside, the group will be officially launched on December 2, 2013.
Recently, the youths were trained in the areas of gender based violence and HIV/AIDS prevention during project years 2009-2013 with USAID and Global Fund. Since then they have been sharing information on a one-on-one basis and in small groups in their communities or whenever invited to do so. In addition, they give support to youths who have suicidal tendency or to those who live in abusive homes.
Some of the areas of discussion were suicide prevention self esteem, work ethics, being empowered to speak out and stand for one’s rights, reconciliation with family members and recognizing that change begins with them and they do not have to be suppressed by cultural or religious traditions.
Another timely programme recently held was to train the group on how to be responsible individuals as they carry out their duty as role models for other youths. The Commonwealth Youth Programme identified November 4-10 as Commonwealth Youth Work Week. It aimed at highlighting the role of youth work to support young people to unlock their productive potential, acquire decent work, start their own businesses and develop relevant skills and attitudes for ‘the world of work’. This year, Youth Work Week was focused on building skills for employability.
“Time and again the private sector bemoans the extremely poor if any at all, work ethics of their employees. This is especially so in cases of new recruits who boast of their qualifications and are blinded by their youthful quest for reaching the stars overnight with no thought as to the processes involved in getting there. It is nothing strange to see employees turning up to work late on a regular basis, clients waiting in offices for services because the officer responsible is still not at work yet or is busy catching up with some “gyaff” on the phone and the list goes on. That is why this training programme was vital because it taught the youths that they need to be forces of change and help others do the same,” said programme facilitator Rebekah Timram in an interview with Guyana Times Sunday Magazine.
Youths in Unison therefore used the Commonwealth Work Week as an opportunity to conduct a symposium on work ethics. The leaders through their website, www.peereducounselor.webs.com, and Facebook page ‘Peer educators, Counsellors’, advertised the proposed activity and invited youths to enrol for the symposium.
Timram said the response was overwhelming. Within a very short time, 33 youths from Crab Wood Creek to Rose Hall and upper, lower and central Corentyne enrolled to participate. She added that some of them called for more information and expressed delight at the opportunity and the programme planned. Timram noted that they were thrilled to learn that the entire programme was going to be planned, organized and implemented by Youths themselves.
Outlining Youths in Unison’s current plans, Timram stated that they are focused on the preparation and launching of the group next month and also will be distributing gifts and “goody” bags for 20 children at Canaan Children’s Home, Port Mourant. They will also be participating in a march and symposium held to recognize “International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women” on November 25, 2013. Additionally, awareness sessions will be held with school drop-outs.
For more information visit www.peereducounselor.webs.com or Peer Educators, Counsellors on Facebook. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
