Region 7 community benefits from $1M Jubilee grant

The village of Dogg Point, in Region Seven (Cuyuni- Mazaruni) , is investing in the development of its youths through the provision of the Presidential and Jubilee grants by the Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Ministry.

The recent allocation of $1 million in a Jubilee grant was used to purchase sewing equipment and materials, a Government Information Agency (GINA) release said.

According to Councillor Carlotta Hopkinson, the youths who participated in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service Programme (HEYS) are using the equipment to sew school uniforms.

Last year, $280 million was allocated to the Ministry to aid 212 indigenous communities to facilitate projects to benefit residents.

“What they had thought about after the HEYS programme was finished is to continue by taking in orders, so as to bring in an income, not to sell the material, but to use up the material,” Hopkinson stated.

The Councillor explained that “people will come in, see what type of uniform they have to get sew, say when you want it, come in, do your measurement, say what style and then you come and collect it at a period of time”.

She noted that the investment in the youths have thus far been fruitful, adding that the monies acquired from the initiative would go towards purchasing more machines and improving the business, the release added.

Hopkinson said that both boys and girls have found an interest in the initiative. She noted that the monies that the village was expected to receive in 2017 through the anticipated Presidential Grant would go towards expanding the building the youths were presently using. This will be done to accommodate more persons, and for the storing of their equipment and materials.