PYARG Executive Officer Ivan Bentham engages residents of Strathavon and Club members (DPI photo)
Some 50 youths of the Strathavon All-Star Sport and Cultural Club on Sunday benefited from a donation of sport equipment from the President’s Youth Award Republic of Guyana (PYARG) initiative.
Speaking with the Department of Public Information (DPI) at a simple handing-over ceremony at the Strathavon sports ground, Club President Fazal Khan said the donation was “very much appreciated” as it would facilitate the development of youths in the community.
“My vision is to see our young people develop themselves [and] educate themselves, because education is the key to success,” he stressed.
Khan said the club has many school dropouts as members. He added that the donation would allow the youths to be positively occupied.
PYARG Executive Officer Ivan Bentham handed over the gear and informed the club that there would be an additional donation once the remaining equipment arrived in the country.
PYARG Executive Officer Ivan Bentham hands over sports gear to Strathavon All-Star Sports and Cultural Club President Fazal Khan (DPI photo)
He said while the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the programme’s activities, other avenues are being explored to prepare young people for the world of work.
“We plan to do a number of training – small training and also with smaller numbers of young people. That has started, and we hope to achieve much greater things,” Bentham explained.
The PYARG official stated that he was currently in discussions with the Labour Ministry and the Agriculture Ministry to train youths in Strathavon and other communities in agro-processing, joinery, and business.
He said a proposal was given to the Natural Resources Ministry of for training in other areas.
“PYARG is not only about the award programme, but if you have an idea – a business idea, and you would like to get funding for that idea, come into the office. We would advise you, prepare a plan so that we can help to sponsor whatever idea you have,” he told the youths.
The PYARG initiative began in 1998, and has benefited thousands of youths ages 14-24. It offers gold, silver, and bronze awards through a continuous programme. (DPI)
