The grant agreement for the expansion and renovation of the Volunteer Youth Corps (VYC) youth centre was signed on Friday by Japanese Ambassador Tatsuo Hirayama and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of VYC Goldie Scott.
VYC received US$95,269 in grant aid from the Government of Japan to assist with the expansion and renovation of the centre, which will enable the organisation to create more ample space to carry out VYC’s activities and provide educational support to youth in Guyana.
The ceremony was attended by Hirayama, Scott, Honorary Consul General for Japan in Guyana Kashir Khan and Director of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Forbes July, along with the contractor, Samuel John, of SAEA Construction.
The signing ceremony was held at the VYC Inc. at D’Urban Backlands.
Scott thanked the ambassador for the contribution to the project. She said that for years VYC has provided educational and social opportunities in Guyana but with the expansion and renovation of the building, VYC believes that it will be able to efficiently address the social challenges that are affecting youths across the country.
Scott added that the expansion and renovation of the youth centre should be completed in a maximum of five months. Additionally, she revealed that the building will now be equipped with a library, a robotics lab, an information technology lab, a home economics area, a training space, nine additional classrooms, two washrooms and a recreational space for a cafeteria.
Once completed, she added, the building will be able accommodate 200 persons or children before revealing that the youth centre can only accommodate thirty persons currently. “The organisation’s ultimate goal is to improve access to quality education and social services. Through this project, we will be able to serve 1000+ at-risk and vulnerable youth who are current beneficiaries of VYC programmes,” she said.
In addition, she said part of the funds will ensure that the quality of education and social services are improved.
Meanwhile, July, said there is no doubt that the facilities and amenities will have a positive impact on the youths. He thanked the Ambassador on behalf of the Government of Guyana.
Ambassador Hirayama, who also spoke at the ceremony, said that it is the third project that the Embassy of Japan has been a part of with the VYC. He said that he hopes that the institute will become a safe haven for persons who need help social and educational assistance.
