The Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport recently hosted its first ever national youth awards.
According to a GINA press release, the event was held on November 22 at the National Cultural Centre in collaboration with Canadian volunteer organisation (CUSO) International to honour recipients in six categories. These were regional participation, national participation, service, media, school and an award for excellence. The regional awards were distributed to all the regions except Region 10.
2014 National Youth Awards
(GINA photo)
Director of Youth, Gillian Frank said, the awardees range within the ages of 14 – 29 and must have demonstrated exceptional leadership skills through voluntary services to their communities which promote and foster youth development among other things.
Kasha Jennings and Julianna Carter were the national awardees. The following organisations were Awards of service recipients – Youths of Guyana, Grove/Diamond Youth in Development, North Rupununi Football Sub Association and Shining Star Friendly Space Environment Network.
Other award recipients were as follows: the school award – School of the Nations, the media award to Synieka Thorne of the Government Information Agency, Award of excellence – Tonia Green, Ministry of Health.
Education Award recipients were Jorrel De Santos – Top NGSA student, Elisa Hamilton – Top CSEC student and Joel Joseph – University of Guyana Valedictorian 2014.
CUSO’s representative, Melanie McTurk said, the agency had been collaborating with the Youth Ministry since 2010 in an effort maximise and promote volunteerism in schools and throughout the country.
The keynote address was given by Director of Culture, Dr James Rose, who told those gathered, the event is a mechanism for distinguishing youth advocacy, recognising effective youth programmes and those who made a difference through voluntary participation and use of their active voice in sports, training, culture and arts.
