What the people say about…Interviews and photos by Shabna Ullah
This week on What the People Say, young persons in Region Five who recently graduated from the National Training Project for Youth Empowerment, Board of Industrial Training (BIT) commented on the training and what they intend to do now.
Shannon Nurse, nursing assistant
`I have learnt quite a lot from the training that I had. Right now I wish to continue the course and I am trying to get into the nursing school. I always wanted to do nursing and I wish to thank the government for giving me the opportunity to realize my dreams. Right now I am glad for a job, though. I was trained at the Mahaicony Hospital and the nurses there were very helpful and co-operative.
After I finished school I had done a course in conflict resolution at the American University of Peace Studies.’
Logan Joseph, welder
`I am from Moraikobe [Mahaicony Mission] I was trained at the Guyana Rice Development Board at Burma Road and the training was easy. I was very grateful for the opportunity to enhance my skills. I attended the Novar Secondary School and I dropped out at fourth form to train at the Kuru Kuru College in electrical installation. I learnt a lot from both courses and I intend to pursue studies in both of them at the Government Technical Institute. After that I plan to go back to my community and work.’
Ayana Semple, nursing assistant
`I intend to further my education in nursing and I may start the University of Guyana or the nursing school. I found the training very interesting as it was an opening for me to discover my full potential.
It also gave me a chance to occupy my time when I was not doing anything. I could not get a job after I finished school because all over I checked they were looking for a degree. I also
Ayana Semple want to be a role model for my community and I already start to feel that way because people look up to me. I want to prove that anyone can achieve his/her goals.’
Marlon Chichester, electrical repairman
`I would continue to study and work in the electrical field. I did my training at High Tech Electrical at Cottage, Mahaicony. The training was very good and I want to encourage my peers to join as well instead of being idle. It has helped me in a positive way because before I started the training I did not have anything meaningful to do.’
Khemraj Samaroo, medical laboratory assistant
`After I finished school I was not able to get a job so when the opportunity came along I gladly took it. I want to thank the government and everyone who helped to make me who I am now. I plan to further my studies through the Ministry of Health because they had published a course in medical laboratory assistant that I was trained as. I am not sure if I would get through. I was also thinking of going back to school to do more subjects.’
Fareena Nazir, teaching assistant
`I was trained at Ash Education Trust and the training was very good.
I enjoyed working with the students. Now that I am finished I would like to further my studies so I can get a permanent job as a teacher.
It was always my dream to become a teacher but because I dropped out of school early I did not think that I would have had a chance. I am grateful that the government thought of empowering the youths and single parents and I hope more persons can take advantage of the opportunity.’
Mike Singh, auto body repairman
`I was trained at my brother’s workshop at Airy Hall, Mahaicony. I found the training to be fun because I always used to be around when my brother was working so I knew the work already. When the programme came, I decided to join to show them what I can do and become formally trained. I intend to continue working with my brother and one day open my own workshop. I left school when I was in third form and now I plan to study and learn more and even be trained to do auto electrical work and to repair engines.’
Kelvon Hodge, mechanic
`I found the training very interesting and profitable and I wish to encourage other youths to join as well so they too can benefit. I did my training at the Guyana Rice Development Board at Burma Road. The only problem now is that we finish the course and we do not have any job. I wish the government can create jobs for persons in these fields. I was also trained as a plumber at the Kuru Kuru Training College and I graduated with a credit but up to now I have not gotten any job.’
Wanda Calistro, medical laboratory assistant
“I was very happy to get the opportunity to do the training. I would like to say thanks to the government for helping me to do something meaningful with my life. I was trained at the Mahaicony Hospital and I think it was very interesting and good. When I was informed about the programme I was at home doing nothing. I came out of school at fourth form because of financial problems. I would now further my studies at a higher level so I can find a good job.’
Julius Chichester, electrical repairman
`My brother did the training three years ago and he has opened up his own workshop. I did my training with him and I learnt a lot. The course benefitted me a lot because when I dropped out of school at third form I did not have anything to do. I intend to continue working with my brother and of course upgrade my skills.’
