Region 10 youths inspired through FTCSF’s “Empower U” initiative

Hundreds of youths from across the Linden community and other parts of Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) are actively involved and are being positively inspired through an “Empower U” initiative spearheaded by Linden-based non-governmental organisation (NGO), For The Children Sake Foundation (FTCSF).
A number of programmes were conducted in Linden recently, including the “Empower U” youth conference and a series of youth camps in riverine communities across the region.

The annual youth conference, which was held at the Lichas Hall, saw over 200 of the community’s youths in attendance. This was conducted in collaboration with the Office of Linden Mayor Waneka Arindell and the Family and Adolescent Health Units of the Public Health Ministry, the Maternal Child Health Department, Department of Youth, Linden Fund USA and the Ministry of the Presidency.
The event was held under the theme, “To Empower, Encourage and Inspire” and featured a number of motivational speakers and activities aimed at youth development in several areas.

FTCSF Executive Director Vernon Todd explained that the primary goal of the conference was to bring together leaders and professionals as well as friends and partners of Linden and across the country in open dialogue with the aim of discussing issues youths face on a daily basis.
In addition, it was used to develop possible strategies to allow youths to become aware and more engaged in initiatives taking place in Region 10.

“We believe that our diverse and dynamic group of speakers provided in-depth insight, as well as actionable and practical tools of engagement, ‘Models, Methods and Mechanisms’ (3Ms) that have worked in other regions; and were able to share how the 3Ms could be utilised to aid the youths to become more effective in the ongoing development efforts of Region 10 in key areas such as healthcare, investment, politics, education and outreach”, he noted.
Director of the organization, Tisha Campbell said the aim of the initiative, which was birthed by the organisation last year, was conducted in keeping with the theme.
“We live in a society where, if you open the papers you see a lot of suicide, there’s a lot of gender-based violence, abuse, rape and all these things. So, the whole objective is basically to empower adolescents. We want to be able to encourage them to speak out; empower them to develop personally, professionally…so different persons are here to inspire, share their experiences and to basically impart knowledge to empower our adolescents”, she noted.
Campbell hailed the successful engagements with participants, who were educated on aspects such as self-love and empowered to be leaders and agents for positive change.
She stressed that there is a range of ongoing initiatives hosted by the organisation as it continues to work towards capacity-building.
Presently, there is an active youth organisation based at One Mile, Wismar, Linden, where youth-friendly sessions are hosted on Fridays and Saturdays. This programme is open to all interested youths. Campbell said youths also get the opportunity to become peer educators which also aids in capacity-building in dealing with social and health-related issues. It also gives an opportunity for assisting other adolescents and persons within the community. Other initiatives include the “Youth seeking answers” programme, which is also open to all adolescents. Interested persons can text or call 699-2286 and ask any health-related or socially-related questions and also receive counselling. There are also additional programmes targetting community development.
The Ministry of the Presidency Department of Youth in collaboration the FTCSF, Region 10 Department of Education and Linden Fund USA also recently hosted a series of Youth camps at Aroaima, Coomacka and Rockstone under the “Empower U” initiative.
Todd also encouraged the community’s youths to become volunteers as he stressed the importance of volunteerism.
“Volunteer work gives youth knowledge, experience, social identity and new skills. Voluntary work also builds a sense of community, improves the daily lives of many people and promotes social development…
It is more important than ever to maintain a strong focus on human rights, strong and universal educational systems, stimulate entrepreneurship and cooperation with the Private Sector for increased job creation.
Worldwide, young people make up a quarter of the world’s population. You are a driving force behind change…”, he noted. (Utumu Belle)