The Foundation reached out to the University two years ago to request guidance and assistance in dealing with the mental health issues that face Guyana and, in particular, the work of the Guyana Foundation’s Sunrise Center.
In response, the University convened a conference last year bringing its best specialist in the areas of suicide, domestic abuse, addiction and child abuse. The Guyana Foundation participated and gained much from this encounter.
The relationship has now been further strengthened by the signing of this MOU which positions Supriya Singh-Bodden, Guyana Foundation’s Founder, on the organizing committee for the next International Conference to be convened in Cuba in early 2018.
This comes at a time when mental health issues is a major concern of governments around the world. The conference will include contributors from other countries and will endeavor to share its deliberations and conclusions with the world.
The agreement is valid for a period of five years during which time there will be valuable transfers of expertise and information to tackle the social issues facing Guyana. Persons will be selected from key villages across Region 2 to access training in Cuba to become professional counsellors. Workshops and visits by Cuban professionals will follow.
Mrs. Singh-Bodden commented, “I have spent the last few days in Cuba among people that have now become an extended family to us , such love , such willingness to help. We are extremely grateful. The social ills, suicide, domestic abuse, child abuse, alcohol addiction are clearly out of control in Guyana. We have much to learn from Cuba to study the way they have been able to provide easily accessed support to citizens at all levels, averting the problems and the fatalities we face. We will make good use of this opportunity we have been given to collaborate with the University of Ciego De Avila. ”
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