Main Street, Georgetown, was set abuzz on Saturday as the Guyana Police Force’s (GPF) A Division (Georgetown-East Bank Demerara) hosted its annual Youth Expo for the third consecutive year.
The Expo, which was held under the theme “Developing the nation’s youth through cohesion, motivation and skill training,” featured youths from A Division, who presented the craft, homemade food items, jewellery and clothing which they created.
According to the Committee Relations Officer of A Division, Inspector Blair McGregor, this annual activity is organised to involve children from ages eight to 17 in constructive activities. Apart from this initiative, the children are also assisted in other areas to improve their studies, sports and talents.
“This is our annual Youth Expo that we have for the youths where we’ve been having them with different activities. We’re trying to reform the minds of the children and reform the children as a whole from a negative to a positive perspective.”
She added, “It’s for about four to five hours just to put the stuff on exhibit so that the general public can see what these kids have been doing over a period of time and maybe bring recognition to them because most of the work was done by them.”
Some of the groups that participated in this year’s exhibition hailed from Mocha, Tiger Bay, North Ruimveldt and East Ruimveldt.
Cassie Douglas of the Mocha Rising Stars Group related, “We’re displaying handmade items such as earrings, breakfast settings, bags, vases and ornaments.”
Meanwhile, Matthew Evans of the Tiger Bay Trendsetters Group explained, “I am showcasing the different varieties of stuff that was made by the children. For example, we have the table mats, mango achar, pepper sauce and plantain chips. All of these items are delicious and we’re just showing a little part of the skills we have.”
Over the years, the division has also been working with youths from ages 18 to 28 in life skill training programmes such as cosmetology and, welding and fabrication, photography and machinery operation.
