In an effort to uplift and empower young people, the Human Services and Social Security Ministry inaugurated a second Youth-Friendly Space at Strathavon, East Coast Demerara (ECD).
This initiative, a collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aims to foster positive development, mentorship, and peer interaction for Guyanese youth.
The Youth-Friendly Space is open daily and welcomes children and young adults from all walks of life, offering a range of resources, including a computer, television, sports equipment, and board games, making it a versatile hub for various activities.
The first Youth-Friendly Space was commissioned in Region Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) back in December 2024.
During her address at the opening, Human Services Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud, emphasised that the centre will serve as more than just a safe haven for youths in and around Strathavon—it will actively enhance their academic performance by providing essential resources to support schoolwork, foster creativity through art projects, and offer a welcoming environment to unwind and connect with peers.
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud exploring Youth-Friendly Space with students
“There are many positive things this space intends to encourage. Reading, sports, counselling. Now you know what counselling is about – talking to someone who can help you through something that’s bothering you. We also want to encourage friendship, networking among yourselves and we always want to keep things like bullying very far from you”.
“We are going to have this centre open every day, so at all times it is available to you. So, when you come, you don’t only meet children from your school, there will be children here. Once they’re considered young people, any can come to the centre because this is your special and safe space,” Dr Persaud said.
The centre also plans to incorporate community-driven projects, such as building a library through a book drive.
Highlighting the role of young people in shaping the present and future, Dr Persaud emphasised the inclusivity of the space and announced that this initiative is part of a broader plan to establish 10 Youth-Friendly Spaces across Guyana, supported by the UNFPA.
“We have gotten through that UNFPA resource fund, the ability to open ten such Youth Friendly spaces across the country. So, from here we will move to other regions and we will do the same thing, it is our hope and our vision that our young people will be nurtured, they will be encouraged, they will be motivated and they can develop to the best version of themselves. We want young people to never feel that anything is beyond them, whatever it is that they see, feel and aspire for they should be able to achieve it,” the Minister said.
“I hope this space will produce many leaders in time to come, national leaders, community leaders, young leaders. I don’t believe that youths are the future you know, I believe that the youths are the now, because you’re never too young to have a view, opinion and perspective,” she added.
“There are many positive things this space intends to encourage. Reading, sports, counselling. Now you know what counselling is about – talking to someone who can help you through something that’s bothering you. We also want to encourage friendship, networking among yourselves and we always want to keep things like bullying very far from you”.
