The Amerindian Affairs and Education ministries hosted a two-day workshop with teachers in Kamarang, Region Seven to teach them to plan sexual and reproductive health lessons for the Upper Mazaruni villages.
Minister of Amerindian Affairs Pauline Sukhai told the teachers that the ministry has a very active focal point person which will aid in identifying high-risk villages in the Upper Mazaruni mining area. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release the minister said villagers tended to gravitate towards visitors and interactions with them could put entire communities at risk. Sukhai also said her ministry has been one of the first to include sexual reproductive health, drug abuse, domestic violence and HIV/AIDS in its efforts to boost the lives of persons in hinterland areas.
Meanwhile, PPP General Secretary Donald Ramotar told the teachers that they are the best persons with which to host such workshops as they are trained to impart knowledge.
He also noted that though the incidence of HIV/AIDS is slowing down as people become more aware of how the infection is spread it is still important to warn villagers to be wary of strangers and to protect themselves. Ramotar said the best way of tackling the issue is to implement a system of prevention through education.
GINA said Autry Haynes, focal point person at the Amerindian ministry Janell Sweatham, focal point person at the education ministry and Ruthel Spencer, lecturer at the Cyril Potter College of Education conducted the sessions.
