PFA assisting young minds through sports and education

… “Getting sponsorship is a key factor,” says Chairwoman

By Timothy Jaikarran

The Positive Foundation-Agricola Cricket Club was founded on March 20, 2021 by the community-based organisation under the same name.
The three pillars of the Foundation are sports and recreation, education and training, and community organic gardening.
The cricket club was the first initiative to be launched by the foundation after consultations and agreements with residents of the community, especially the youths who indicated a strong interest in playing the game. Arising out of the initiative was the evident need for recreational facilities within the community and access to more training and educational programmes, and employment opportunities.

According to PFA Chairwoman Stayce Cuffy, the Georgetown Cricket Association assisted the newly- formed club with a coach, Mark Harper and Shaun Massiah. She noted that the duo came out and helped the club to form a team, which resulted in the PFA growing.
“We are hoping to bring more sports in the community, with lawn tennis, table tennis, and volleyball. We are trying our best to have at least one of the three sports starting before the end of this year. With the recreation part, there is a plot of land in Agricola where we are looking to put that, the play park will consist of slides, swings, see-saws, a basketball court and just to the side of that we will do a kitchen garden. So, with this recreational facility, persons don’t have to leave their homes to go elsewhere. They can come and have a walk and some relaxation,” she shared.

Cuffy also relayed that as it pertained to the education section of the initiative, the PFA has partnered with STEM Guyana to have Mathematics, English, Social Studies and Science classes for the children at St Ann’s School twice per week. An average of 24 students are taught via Zoom or in person. The association also boasts a reading circle where they cater for children from as young as Grade One who are taught the fundamentals of reading. She further explained that students are aided through the PFA on CXC, whereby the association uses individuals from the community, such as past teachers who volunteer their time to help the children.
“Being a new organisation is tough, because you have to build a sense of trust and let people know that you are in for the long haul. Last year we pulled off cricket camps, spelling bees, the guys going to different cricket events, so it is always challenging. Our main thing is getting sponsorship, getting sponsorship is a key factor in assisting us with everything we want to do. Ninety per cent of the stuff we have was probably sponsored or donated. We got our cricket gears and our materials for art and craft for all these different things. So, we definitely need sponsorship, we have the cricket team, the STEM programme, the art and crafts section, so majority of the times what we try to do is provide a meal. What we ask people to do is to donate food items or cook the items or even bring water or juice. So, we try to ensure the children get something to eat,” Cuffy explained.
She stated that she was grateful for the donations, as through them, the non-profit organisation was able to build a batting cage on their playground so the cricketers could have much-needed practice sessions. She noted that the cricket club was currently being coached by certified Cricket West Indies (CWI) Level One Coach Pernell Christie. The cricket club played their first second-division game on Sunday, and while they lost to Queen’s College, they gained much-needed exposure during the game.