MACORP supports MoSC’s exchange programme in Rupununi

As the Ministry of Social Cohesion (MoSC) embarks on a one-week Exchange Programme in the Rupununi communities, Machinery Corporation (MACORP) pledged its commitment to the development of Guyanese human resources as the company presented financial support towards the initiative. During the course of the next month, the Social Cohesion Ministry will be implementing a youth exchange programme, which will provide a capacity-building opportunity for young

Guyanese of the Rupununi regions.

The programme, which will be conducted at the St Ignatius Secondary School, Lethem, will see the participation of scores of youths between the ages of 16 and 25.

As the Ministry partners with several companies within the Private Sector, MACORP on Thursday presented a cheque to subject Minister George Norton, during a simple ceremony hosted at the company’s East Bank Demerara location.

During the handing-over ceremony, Liaison Officer of the Social Cohesion Ministry, Shabir Ali explained that from August 13 to 20, the Ministry will be hosting its first-ever inter-village Social Cohesion Exchange Programme for over 160 young people from 23 villages in the South/Central Rupununi, including Lethem and surrounding communities.

In his address at the handing-over ceremony, Dr Norton commended the work of MACORP, noting that it was setting the standards for other companies such as US oil giant ExxonMobil as it relates to contributing towards the development of the country.

“I want to thank MACORP for the help that they have lent us, and we see this as being mutual to both of us. We certainly need your help, particularly for what we are out there to do in Rupununi area, an area that might have been neglected for some time that we hoped to change. So, I am indeed grateful for this company coming on board so readily and in the means in which they did so,” expressed the Minister. Also speaking at the presentation was MACORP Product Support Manager Guillermo Escarraga, who pledged the company’s commitment to the development of Guyanese human resources.

As such, Escarraga noted that MACORP was honoured to play its part in the execution of this exchange programme in Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo). The Manager stated that the company was pleased to collaborate on the initiative, adding that it looked forward to helping to develop the most important resource, “which is our Guyanese talent” .

The one-week Social Cohesion Exchange Programme will allow for developmental training sessions to be conducted, after which participants will return to their homes with the task of implementing projects within their communities.

This is the first such initiative for the Social Cohesion Ministry, which may lead to similar efforts being executed on an annual basis.