NGO launched in Berbice to build capacity among youths

By Royan Abrams

A group of vibrant young men and women have come together to launch a Non-Governmental Organisation called Youth Champions Network (YCN) at Kildonan, Corentyne which is aimed at building capacity among the youths across the county of Berbice.

The idea of having the organisation was birthed by its President, Collin Moore following a youth leadership training with the Ministry of the Presidency’s Office of the P{residential Advisor on youth empowerment.

According to Moore, the organisation currently has six executive members which include himself as the President, Krystal Thomas as the Vice President, Ronette Henry; treasurer, Juneann Morgan; Secretary, Jelisa Ward; Secretary/treasurer and Kinsley ward as the Public Relations Officer (PRO).

The organisation also has three units, each of which comprised of approximately 25 to 30 persons and are located in Fyrish, Manchester and #77 village on the Corentyne.

President of Youth Champions Network noted that the “plan is for the youths in the region is to someday see them more involved in leadership roles in their various communities and our country at large and that is why we focus heavily on empowerment and capacity building.”

Presently the members of YCN are working on a project called Youth Empowerment Youth Transformation.

“We go into communities where youths are not in groups and get them organized into groups because I believe that when young people are organized and are together and occupied then there are less room for idle and crimes” Moore added.

The Youth Champion Network is funded through various activities but recently Nand Persaud and Company limited has come on board to financially assist a number of activities planned by the organisation.