The United States Government is partnering with a Corriverton-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) to continue its support to Guyanese youth, according to a release from the US Embassy.
Family Awareness Consciousness & Togetherness (FACT) received a US$64,800 ($13,353,000) grant from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Community, Family and Youth Resilience (CFYR) Programme to carry out after-school activities in Corriverton. The release said that the programme will provide 80 children, between the ages of 10 to 18 years, from five schools, with after-school activities which encompass lessons and homework support integrated with creative arts, life skills, and sports.
It said that this follows a call for proposals to organizations in five target communities in Guyana, including Corriverton. The successful grantees will deliver comprehensive interventions in Corriverton, East La Penitence, East Ruimveldt, Lodge, and Sophia, the release said. The activities will encourage student participation in positive youth development activities that lower vulnerability to risky behaviours that lead to violence.
Although the event focused on the Corriverton community, the release said that after-school programmes will eventually reach the other communities. The programme will increase youth’s self-efficacy, heighten their computer knowledge and skills, and ultimately improve school attendance by engaging them in a stimulating and rewarding set of activities. Parents will be encouraged to get involved in the academic life of their children and share in the journey by participating in regular meetings over the course of the programme.
CFYR is a USAID programme aimed at reducing youth involvement in crime and violence. It features a comprehensive package of interventions that build the resilience of youth ages 10-29, strengthen family support, and encourage community cohesion. Each of the five communities participating in the CFYR Programme will be supported by a group of volunteers who form Community Enhancement Committees (CEC) that help residents to identify and apply local solutions to reduce violence and support positive youth development.
