HEYS youths hoping to tap furniture market

Hinterland youths are hoping corporate Guyana and Government will be lending support to their joinery and carpentry efforts in the ongoing Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) Programme.

Youths in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni) and Eight (Potaro-Siparuni) in particular are producing a variety of quality furniture, including tables, chairs, desks, cupboards, bed frames, and stools. It is the hope of the young people that corporate Guyana will be willing to purchase the items.

The youths are optimistic that the Education and Public Health Ministries and Village Councils would also support them by purchasing these items to furnish schools, health centres, village offices and guest houses.

The hinterland youth programme, which is a one-year initiative, is intended to create an enabling environment where youths can become self-sufficient.

HEYS youths enrolled in the garment construction, cake decorating/catering, electrical installation, auto-mechanic and information technology courses echoed similar sentiments.

Their expertise can be equally utilised. The women are sewing clothing, including pants, shirts, ladies tops, and skirts, and are also involved in embroidery and knitting.

The youth programme is further targeting the tourism industry and is said to be working assiduously to make this a reality.

During last month’s Heritage activities in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), Vice President and Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Minister Sydney Allicock emphasised, “Guyana is on the move and quickly being recognised. While there are hiccups, things are moving on; things are moving quicker than I thought personally and for you to be on that train, we have to respect time.”

The Minister cited the HEYS Programme as one initiative aiming to empower citizens. According to him, youths are learning skills which will take them through life “that is why we have the training of our young people. We are paying our young people to learn; it is a support to your own learning.”

Approximately 2000 youths from across Guyana are assured of positively contributing to society when they successfully complete the HEYS Programme.