Guyana Red Cross expanding mandate

organisation as a bridge to bigger successes in their lives. An example of this is the first aid course, which was used by many young people to pioneer their nursing careers. Many of them now work successfully in the nursing sector both here and abroad.

One such person is Denzel Hernandez a former first aid coordinator of the Red Cross. Hernandez volunteered with Red Cross from 1999 and took up the post as coordinator in mid 2000. Today he runs his own First Aid and Safety Training Institute and said that the Red Cross played an integral part in his choice of career and equipped him with the essential tools he needed. Hernandez told Stabroek News that the experience he gained from his stint with the Red Cross will last a lifetime and the exposure with the organisation has helped him to know much more of Guyana since he worked in a number of community outreach programmes across the country.

Yvonne Hercules is the field manager for the “Together we can” programme designed to educate youths in region one on HIV/AIDS, STIs and health issues. Hercules along with volunteers hold meetings in riverain communities geared at sensitizing persons on health issues. Meetings are also held at the North West Secondary School once a week. “In these predominantly indigenous communities these information are vital,” Hercules related.

As with any other NGO, the Red Cross survives on finances from kind-hearted businesses and organisations or as the secretary general said “prayers.” The local Red Cross also receives solid support from its sister organisations.

In the meantime the Red Cross has set its sights on other programmes and is currently working with the Canadian Red Cross and facilitators to do training for a number of projects including one titled “violence and abuse.”