Social worker conferred with EU’s Human Rights Award

Maureen Hope, a social worker from Crane Village, West Coast Demerara (WCD), has been honoured with the 2024 Delegation of the European Union (EU) in Guyana Human Rights Award in recognition of her remarkable 35 years of dedication to community development.
This award is in line with the EU’s commitment to recognising individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights. The EU Delegation in Guyana has honoured Maureen for her tireless work.
Through her involvement with the youth-based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Youths with a Purpose, she has played a pivotal role in addressing social issues and empowering local youth.

During the award ceremony on Thursday evening, the EU Ambassador to Guyana, René Van Nes highlighted the importance of acknowledging individuals such as Hope for their significant contributions.
“Be mindful of those people who devote their lives to making sure that this world is a better place and expect absolutely nothing in return. So we’re very happy to shine a limelight on you, to give you a bit of attention. Maureen has been instrumental in addressing social issues, empowering youths, working with women, and she does that with her organisation called Youths with a Purpose,” he stated.
Further, the Ambassador related that they would have indirectly supported the NGO through ChildLink.
“She has made sure that young women can actually earn their own living. So, very happy to award you, Maureen, the EU Human Rights Award. We give this award each year to people who do fantastic work and do not immediately get the recognition they deserve.”
In accepting the award, Hope, who embodies her surname ‘Hope,’ expressed her initial plans for her NGO, for which she used her own money to fund.
She related that most of her funds were expended with the hope that she could touch the lives of the children.
“My husband used to say, ‘You’re giving away all the money, and we ain’t got any here.’ But I remember my days, and nobody was there to help us either, because everybody at that time, I think, was poor too, where we came from.”
“The whole thing of Youths with a Purpose started from the Sunday school…We were working with the children in the communities. And so, I would go and work with these children, and these children began to share their stories. We began to work with them and mentor them, and there was great behaviour change.”
She also highlighted the lasting relationships she has built over the years through her extensive work with various organisations.
“My focus now is to build Youths with a Purpose and put it out there. I want to focus now on this organisation. I have worked with so many people that every corner I turn, people know me—the police know me, the teachers know me, the nurses know me. Every place I turn, because I have been working in every community in Region Three, I’ve worked with everybody.”
However, she expressed gratitude for the award.
“I want to say thanks. I don’t know who recommended me, but I know that it’s because of the work I’ve been doing, and so today I’ve been standing here. I have so much I want to say, but I’m so overwhelmed that I just want to say thanks.”
Since 2017, the EU Delegation to Guyana has annually presented the Human Rights Award to recognise and honour individuals or organisations who have made significant contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights within the country.