Berbice: Global Youth Movement-Guyana recently launched its Berbice Shines Environment Project targeting Regions 5 and 6. The organisation is already implementing a $23Million dollar Community Environment, Health and Recycling Project in Region 5 funded by the United Nations Development Programme/ Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme. The scope of this project has now been expanded to include Region 6.
Present at the simple ceremony were Regional Education Officer – Region 6 Mrs. Valika Mohabir Jaikishun, National Coordinator of GEF-SGP Mr. Ian Kissoon, Coordinator of the Pick It Up Guyana Mr. Clint Babulall, Public Affairs Officer of the US Embassy Ms. Tabitha Fairclough, Paper Waste Recovery and Recycling Manager of Caribbean Containers Inc. Mr. Simeon Taylor, Executive Director of Global Youth Movement – Guyana- Mr. Mark Ross, Volunteers and members of Youths for Guyana, teachers, students and volunteers of Berbice Shines and members of Global Youth Movement – Guyana.
In providing an overview of the project Mr. Ross explained that the project was conceptualized by himself and US Embassy Youth Ambassador Lauristan Choy after the success of Guyana Shines in Region 4. Berbice Shines will address issues of improper garbage disposal, littering and other health issues. The main goal of the project he said is to enhance and beautify Berbice by training volunteers to conduct sessions in schools, community meetings, community mobilization and the involvement of everyone living in Berbice. He called on all Berbicians to help in cleaning up their environment more so now since the chikungunya disease has been first discovered in the country in Berbice. He urged residents, businesses, and all stakeholders to be part of the project. He urged that all groups should get involved and collaborate with their team to make Berbice Shine.
During the launch Ms Tabitha Fairclough congratulated the team on the initiative and stated that when the US embassy started the project two years ago they were hopeful that it would reach as far as possible and the launch of the project is an indication they have done just that. Mr. Ian Kissoon in his remarks urged the youths to also look at protecting the mangroves in their regions since mangrove forests contribute the climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts. Mr. Babulall who delivered the keynote address offered similar sentiments like the speakers before him and offered his projects support and willingness to collaborate with the group. Mrs. Jaikishun in her remarks thanks the group for including her education district in the project and urged those present to care the environment.
At the close of the ceremony Mr. Simeon Taylor handed over the first set of paper receptacles to the New Amsterdam Secondary School where the recycling of waste paper will be done. Fifteen (15) secondary schools and the two (2) RDC offices in the region will soon receive over 600 waste paper receptacles. This would form a memorandum of understanding among Global Youth Movement – Guyana, Caribbean Containers Inc., the Ministry of Education and the regional officials. Caribbean Containers purchases waste paper to produce cardboard which is then resold in the market.
The Berbice Shines Environment Project began on May 31st with the training of over Thirty (30) volunteers, who will engage students in sessions on reduce, reuse and recycle after which the students are expected to clean up and enhance their school environments. On Thursday 5th June World Environment Day the Berbice Shines volunteers planted forty five (45) fruit trees in thirteen (13) schools simultaneously to observe the day. Last Saturday after the launch volunteers from Guyana Shines; Keep Guyana Beautiful and Berbice Shines came together and cleaned up the roundabout in proximity of the New Amsterdam hospital, Berbice High School and Esplanade Ground. This involved cleaning up Princess Elizabeth Road, clearing the grass and other garbage from the roundabout and repainting it.
Planned activities for the rest of the project includes; community meetings, community clean up, meetings with stakeholders to pilot a waste paper recycling project at the two RDC offices, establishment of environment clubs, environment competition and an environment camp. The project hopes to take the Pick It Up Guyana project to Berbice as part of its comprehensive program.
The Global Environment Facility is a partnership of various sectors in 183 countries to address global environmental issues. Since 1991, the GEF has provided $12.5 billion in grants and leveraged $58 billion in co-financing for over 15,000 projects. The funds are used to support activities related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, and chemicals and waste in the context of development projects and programs.
The Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS). GEF SGP works with communities and civil society around the world to grapple with critical global environmental problems.
Global Youth Movement – Guyana is a registered organization and was formed in 2011 by youth and works with young people in various communities across the country. The organisation is also currently undertaking a backpack project and is urging businesses and individuals to sponsor a backpack filled with supplies for a primary school child.
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