18 Peace Corps volunteers to aid in advancement of literacy, healthcare in hinterland

Eighteen Peace Corps Volunteers will soon be deployed to Guyana’s hinterland regions where they will play a fundamental role in helping the government advance literacy in English Language as well as science among primary level children.

In addition to this, the group which was sworn in on Wednesday to begin their two years of service in Guyana, will also address various issues including adolescent health, and environmental stewardship.
The volunteers are Adriana Cammarano, Paula Clark, Eunice Cuffie, Emily Kuster, Georgia Metz, Josiah Pack, Michael Smith, Cristina Diaz, Tana Early, Chance Herbst, Matthew Jester, Justin Mascarin, Isis Parker, Lily Poat, Kayla Poncius, Marcelo Sanchez Viniegra, Delanie Craighead and Jameiya Walker.
They are from Missouri, Louisiana, Oregon, Minnesota, Texas, and California, among others.
To enhance their preparedness for these tasks the Volunteers completed an intensive nine-week pre-service training.
As it relates to education, seven volunteers will be assigned to schools to co-teach, enhance school libraries, work with parents and pull students from the classroom for special tutoring, while nine Environment Volunteers will work in schools teaching science and implementing eco-friendly projects that teach children to be good stewards of Guyana natural resources.
In highlighting the important work of Peace Corps Volunteers and their local community partners in building a sustainable future for Guyana, Deputy Chief Education Officer for Administration, Tiffany Harvey commended host families, partner schools, and the Government of Guyana for their support of the Peace Corps’ work.
“When I look at literacy, science, health and family life those are directly related to what our focus is right now. We are deliberately working towards ensuring that we produce the ideal citizens so that our students are prepared for the world of work to compete in the global market. So, with the focus of literacy from grades one to four we welcome that because it’s exactly what our mission is,” she said.
Meanwhile, two Health Volunteers will teach life skills to adolescents and will work to support the Health Ministry in a school health programme that is focused on screening and early detection of non-communicable disease and mental health issues in children throughout their school years.
Health Minister, Dr. Frank Anthony, who delivered brief remarks at the event, highlighted that the group will help his ministry bridge the gap between healthcare being accessed at schools and health centers.
“I know for this batch those who would be working in health that you’ll be focusing primarily on adolescent health and we have a lot of work in this area too…we have been focused on a few areas but now we want to have this comprehensive programme and I really look forward to the Volunteers working with us to make this a success in the areas where they will be assigned. And we want to bridge that gap between the schools in the area and the health center,” Dr. Anthony related.
The 18 new volunteers will join the current cohort of 36 already serving in nine of Guyana’s ten regions and is part of the 35th Volunteer group to work here.
United States to Guyana Ambassador, Nicole Theriot commended the group for their dedication, motivation and unwavering support to the programme.
“Volunteers around the world reflect the very best of the United States and they bring back to the United States the very best of Guyana. They build lasting people to people ties that span decades and those ties are part of a lifelong commitment. In fact, many return PCVs seek to work overseas again because they catch the bug and living in the US just doesn’t do it for them anymore,” US to Guyana Ambassador said.
In March of 1961, President John F Kennedy created the Peace Corps to provide human resource and technical assistance to developing countries. The Peace Corps was first active in Guyana from 1966-1971, and later returned in 1995 at the invitation of then-President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Since its establishment, more than 900 American volunteers have supported numerous communities throughout Guyana.
In fact, since 1996 more than 240,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 142 countries and in Guyana over 1,400 Volunteers have served since 1966 with a break from 1971-1995. (G1)