Sixty-four Berbicians were formally inducted into the Civil Defence Commission’s Volunteer Corps (CDCVC) on Saturday.
In a press release the CDC said the induction followed a comprehensive orientation session at the New Amsterdam Nursing School and moves the total number of CDC volunteers “closer to the 100 mark.”
Most of the new volunteers learned of the programme while being trained in the entity’s Shelter Management, Damage Assessment and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) programme held earlier in the month. At that forum several persons had expressed a desire to become volunteers and subsequently mobilised others to get involved.
After completing and submitting the relevant applications, the potential volunteers were interviewed by a small team from the CDC volunteer corps, at the RDC in New Amsterdam from November 15-16. “The interviews sought to establish specifics regarding the potential volunteers’ adaptability, dependability, ability to communicate, and leadership and organisational skills,” the CDC said. Almost 80% of those interviewed were between the ages of 20-35 with 60% of the candidates being members of the nursing profession.
After the interview sessions Jahawarlall Ramjug, Jonelle Cornette and Vanessa Sahadeo were identified as the Region’s Volunteer Coordinator, Assistant Volunteer Coordinator and Secretary/Treasurer, respectively.
They are to lead the efforts of the Region Six CDC volunteer affiliate and will collaborate with the central executive of the CDCVC.
At the orientation sessions volunteers benefited from two presentations on the CDC and DRM in Guyana and the CDCVC, its roles and responsibilities.
The volunteers were eager to participate in training and projects and several have been slated to benefit from the PAHO/WHO Climate Change training.
