PYARG celebrates 9th anniversary

The President’s Youth Award: Republic of Guyana(PYARG) programme is celebrating its 9th anniversary this month with a number of activities across the country. According to a Government Information Agency press release since it was established in 1998 youths have been quick to register in the different categories of the awards and, within three years, full membership status was achieved making the programme sustainable. Executive Officer Alfred King, in his anniversary message said the PYARG can celebrate proudly because of its history, resources and achievements. He said the 2006/2007 period was a noteworthy year for the awards since it was able to expand access through increased activities and outreach exercises. King said the programme fostered new partnerships and achieved a record high 2000 registrants between October 2006 and September 2007. Sixteen hundred of these registrants qualified for the PYARG expeditions and participants in the bronze silver and gold awards have lived to tell stories of endurance after adventure style activities. In 2005, about 1200 youths obtained awards at the bronze, silver and gold levels and the gold participants built two houses for underprivileged families. Other participants were able to establish businesses through the PYARG’s entrepreneurial programme. This year, King said, 15 participants represented Guyana at the Caribbean Award Scheme Council, an international award programme in neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago.