US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah-Ann Lynch on Thursday announced that the collaborative efforts between the National Library and the US Embassy in the launch of the American Corner (Guyana) will accommodate refugee learners from elementary to advanced levels in efforts to have them adapt to local culture.
The opening saw in attendance National Library Committee Chairman Petamber Persaud, Chief Librarian Emiley King, Deputy Chief Education Officer Volika Jaikissoon, and Ambassador Lynch.
Deputy Chief Education Officer (Development) Volika Jaikissoon, National Library Committee Chairman Petamber Persaud, US Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch and Chief Librarian Emiley King at the launch
During remarks at the event, the US Ambassador announced that the corner would assist refugee learners in adapting to local culture.
She revealed that Venezuelan migrants have benefited from a virtual six-month programme.
Ambassador Lynch and Chairman Persaud unveil the plaque to open the American Corner (Guyana)
“So far, two programmes have been piloted at the American Corner. The English Alive Language programme was taught virtually for six months and 12 students from the Venezuelan migrant community gained the basic skills for conversational exchanges in their new Guyanese communities. Looking ahead, the Corner will accommodate refugee learners at the elementary, intermediate, and advanced levels with the aim of helping them to adapt to local culture,” the Ambassador stated.
In addition to this, the corner will feature a series of blended programmes such as entrepreneurship, English Language, STEM, and information and literacy.
It will also provide resources and information on studying and participating in educational and cultural exchanges in the United States.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Education Officer Jaikissoon expressed gratitude on behalf of the Education Ministry and stated that the initiative would help to enhance education delivery in Guyana.
“…we’re in this pandemic and you find that our children at this time, they’re experiencing a lot of learning loss, because a lot of them – especially the learners from the poor communities – they’re deprived of learning materials…they do not have books to read, they do not have the Internet or they do not have devices,” she stated.
The American Corner (Guyana) is expected to bring together persons of all ages and backgrounds to learn, share, create, and build skills through the various initiatives.
Local organisations and experts have already been engaged to assist in developing and executing programmes to foster interest and development of youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy as well as science and technology, such as Robotics and STEM, Scratch and Coding.
The American Corner is a public information and activity corner which offers a select collection of resources on topics of interests to both countries as well as regular programmes for diverse audiences. Activities will include group discussions, electronic interactive programmes, and cultural presentations.
The Corner will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 13:30h-16:30h, Tuesdays and Thursdays 09:00-12:00h and 13:30h-16:30h, and Saturdays 09:00h-12:30h, with all programmes being free of charge.
These activities of the National Library, through the American Corner , together with public access to the educational and informational materials will enhance mutual understanding between the people of Guyana and the people of the United States of America.
