US Embassy’s Youth Ambassadors alumni launch virtual engagement programme

Beyond the surface of COVID-19

The Youth Ambassadors Alumni of the United States Embassy in Georgetown is coming together, virtually, to do their part in the battle of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

They are gearing up to launch a virtual engagement programme to combat the social effects of the pandemic. That programme, #CatchMeInside, is expected to be launched later today.
It will take all hands on deck to tackle the coronavirus. This includes alumni of the US Embassy’s youth and cultural exchange programmes, who have reunited with one mission in mind; to lessen the social effects the virus may have on Guyanese youth and their communities.
The team will be embarking on a virtual engagement programme, titled #CatchMeInside, which is the brainchild of Natisha Mokutnauth and Ashraf Dabie, participants of the 2015 Youth Ambassadors Programme.
Starting Sunday, April 26, this initiative will take the form of a 14-day social media conversation, addressing topics such as wellness, being productive, smart spending and staying engaged.
“While COVID-19 is a global health threat, there are other side effects that will accompany this pandemic, which we cannot ignore. Many of us have never experienced something like this and it can affect us in so many ways, beyond physical health,” Mokutnauth said.
It is with that in mind that the duo crafted this initiative aimed at providing the necessary information to ensure that Guyanese youth are taking sustainable measures to safeguard not only their physical but social, mental and financial health, during these unprecedented times.
“This pandemic will not go on forever. When it is over, we need to ensure our youth are ready to take our country forward, rather than being left behind, battling to recover,” added Dabie, who is currently studying in Toronto.
“This is also a way of reducing the fear and anxiety brought on by the pandemic and allowing Guyanese to connect and engage with likeminded individuals, which is crucial now more than ever,” he said.
As such, each day will feature a new topic being discussed on Facebook through live sessions or posts, hosted by the alumni as well as other Guyanese young professionals. Among the lineup are local entrepreneur and owner of Java Café, Evie Kanhai, women in business advocate Abbigale Loncke, among a whole host of others.
While the messages are being targeted to youth, all Guyanese at home and abroad are invited to tune in to the Youth Ambassadors Guyana 2015 or the US Embassy Georgetown Facebook pages to participate in this virtual programme. The sessions will commence at 13:00h each day and last for approximately 30 minutes.
Persons can also follow the conversation at any time, using the hashtag #CatchMeInside.
“So, while the world is battling to reduce the spread of coronavirus and return countries to normalcy, you are invited to stay inside, stay safe and tune in to the #CatchMeInside virtual programme to stay engaged,” Dabie noted.
The Youth Ambassadors Programme brings together outstanding young people from across the Americas for an enrichment programme to promote mutual understanding, increase leadership skills, and prepare youth to make a difference in their communities to participate in a cultural and leadership exchange programme in the United States. It is focused on civic education, community service and youth leadership development.
Follow-on activities are an integral part of the programme, as the participants apply the knowledge and skills they have learned to implement projects that serve needs in their communities and country. The #CatchMeInside virtual engagement programme is the fifth follow-on project initiated and executed by the 2015 cohort.