Fifty-nine enthusiastic youths on a mission of bringing hope and change to the youths of Baramita, in Region One, yesterday departed for a five-day camp in the community.
After the social issues of the community were brought to the attention of the Police Communications Officer for the ‘F’ Division, Metchelle Padmore, and a Seventh Day Adventist pastor, Troy Christopher, the two decided to collaborate by planning a summer camp for youths from the surrounding areas of the community and around the country
More than 100 youths from ages 9 to 25 expressed interest in joining the summer camp; 25 from Baramita, 20 from Port Kaituma and a total of 59 persons from Georgetown, Bartica, Berbice, Linden, and East Coast Demerara and other areas. They will be accompanied by Padmore, Christopher, James Gulliver, Carl Damon and Lance Corporal Burt Burnette, among others. The group of fifty-nine along with their chaperones yesterday departed by boat from the Kingston wharf in Georgetown. They are expected to return next Friday. All 59 were enthusiastic about the aim of the initiative, which is to bring hope and change to the youths of Baramita.
Padmore revealed that she was stationed at Baramita in 2017 and saw first-hand what the youths of Baramita were experiencing on a daily basis in the community. After returning to the coast, she felt obliged to help those youths and with the support of the Commander of the ‘F’ division, Kevin Adonis, she finally accomplished one of her goals.
“We wanted to take other young people there to mix the culture and show them there’s more to what they see or think in Baramita,” she explained.
Meanwhile Christopher reveal-ed that he had visited the community twice prior to the current visit and also felt obligated to help the youths after seeing “what happens there.” Further he said, “I believe we can make a difference by working with some of the folks there; empowering them educationally and socially. We are trying and I guess we will have more support as time progresses. We’re just try to make a difference in some way.”
He said that every year the National Youth Department from the Church of God Conference selects a different location for camp. Depending on funds, he said, they would choose a location in a different region. “We are happy the ‘F’ division teamed up with us this year to facilitate the process,” he concluded.
Both collaborators reportedly worked tirelessly to raise funds for the camp, which is estimated to be over a million dollars. Sunday Stabroek was also told that when businessmen from North West heard what was being planned, they immediately contributed to the initiative.
Throughout the course of the camp, participants will be engaged in discussions on social issues and education in addition to cultural activities and sports.
The Community Development Officer (CDO) of Baramita, Virgil Ferreira, welcomed the joint effort as he sincerely believes that the activities planned can encourage and bring hope to the youths of the community. Referring to the high suicide rate that has plagued the community, Ferreira said he is glad that youths from all over the country have decided to embark on the journey to help the youths of Baramita, especially since the community is still plagued with that particular issue and the prevalence of other social issues. “It’s good for Baramita ’cause the youths will be exposed to the lives of other youths from different communities around the country,” he added.
“We want the youths of Baramita to see life differently ’cause we are seeing a lot of negative things so we hoping with this initiative we could help them see life different,” Ferreira concluded.
Baramita is one of the largest indigenous settlements in Guyana.
