Amerindian youths are expected to benefit from continuous training as the government gears up to train some 650 Community Service Officers stand (CSOs) by the end of 2022.
This was announced by Amerindian Affairs Minister, Pauline Sukhai, on Thursday evening, at the Amerindian Heritage Month 2022 cultural extravaganza.
The Youth Entrepreneurship and Apprenticeship Programme (YEAP) have been reinstated by the government, along with the rehiring of the 2,000 CSOs who were fired by the former APNU+AFC Government. The program has also been expanded to include 500 CSOs.
To date, approximately 466 CSOs have been trained in the theoretical and practical areas of computer literacy, introduction to solar installation and maintenance, garment construction, tourism and hospitality, and field operation and tractor maintenance, among others, amassing some $1.85 billion in training fees.
Amerindian Affairs Minister Pauline Sukhai
“Leaders will benefit from continued support to build leadership capacity and we remain committed to supporting transparency and accountability within villages for the best interest of the villagers,” Minister Sukhai said.
She said the government remains committed to bridging the divide between the hinterland and coastal areas and has injected massive revenue into villages across the hinterland.
Earlier this year, the Housing and Water Ministry, in collaboration with the Amerindian Affairs Ministry and the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI), on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which saw over 200 CSOs being trained to maintain water supply systems in hinterland communities.
On Thursday, Amerindian Heritage Month kicked off with an explosive Cultural Extravaganza at the National Stadium where President Dr Irfaan Ali pledged to Guyana’s indigenous people that his government will ensure that they will be part of and benefit from the country’s development. He committed to stand by indigenous people from every community and take them on the pathway to prosperity, telling them that they should celebrate this month with this in mind.
He said, “Celebrate with the confidence that your future is going to be better. Celebrate with the confidence that the opportunities of the future will come to you. Celebrate with the confidence that you will be an equal partner in the development of our country. Celebrate with the confidence that you are deserving people. Celebrate with the confidence that you are equal to anyone else. Celebrate with the confidence that this govt is with you, for you, and by you.”
This year’s Heritage Month is being held under the theme “Celebrating our Traditional Culture While Building One Guyana.”
According to Sukhai, this theme is appropriate. Pointing out the importance of Indigenous culture, she noted that it is personal, unique, and sacred. (G2)
