Some 40 children and youths will be the first batch to benefit from the newly-launched Youth Empowerment & Mentorship Programme – an initiative that will see various leaders working with vulnerable participants to equip them with the tools and guidance needed to harness their talents.
This Empowerment and Mentorship programme is a collaboration between the Men on Mission (MoM) initiative and the Private Sector Commission (PSC). It will target children and youths, aged five to 14, with the first batch of 40 already identified in Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica).
Hosted at the One Guyana Kitchen on Main Street, Georgetown, the programme will commence from June 1 and will see participants receiving meals, assistance with homework, access to computers and the Internet, and motivational sessions by prominent Guyanese leaders as well as extra-curricular activities including yoga and karate.
During the launch on Friday in Georgetown, President Dr Irfaan Ali lauded the multi-faceted partnership with the Private Sector that will provide positive role models for these vulnerable participants.
According to the Head of State, the Private Sector will support these vulnerable children and youths throughout their secondary education and then ensure they further their studies at the tertiary level.
“So, whether you need to go to the University of Guyana, which will be free by then [or] you go on the GOAL scholarship programme, which is again free – the Government is building all of these facilities to support every young person. But we need that guidance, that motivation and that modelling, and that is what this group will do,” Ali posited.
MOM, a brainchild of President Ali, is currently working with the Private Sector in Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) and Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) to roll out similar mentorship programmes there.
MOM Representative, Lieutenant Colonel Bhageshwar Murli underscored the important role mentorship plays in shaping children and youths. He explained that this mentorship programme was structured to provide foundational support and guidance to young people.
He added that for this programme, mentors would be “carefully matched” with mentees who have shared interests and goals thus creating meaningful and lasting connections.
“This programme will offer regular one-on-one meetings, group activities, workshops… and learning opportunities throughout Guyana. We have high hopes for the outcome of our programme. By connecting our youngsters with supportive role models we aim to instil confidence, inspire ambition and foster personal and professional development. Through this programme, we aspire to see our young people thrive, equipped with the positive habits, skills, and knowledge needed to navigate life’s challenges and seize opportunities,” Murli stated.
