Region One is set to benefit from a number of training programmes aimed at capitalising on each community’s unique features through a recently approved supplementary allocation of $88.4M for works under the National Hinterland Secure Livelihood Programme.

According to a Government Information agency (GINA) press release the provision is for the period July 16 to December 31. It is expected to be used on capital expenditure for the Amerindian Development Fund and office furniture and equipment and current expenditures such as transport, travel and postage and training (scholarships).

The programme aims at helping individuals from 15 communities in Region One to develop skills that will make them marketable and subsequently help to boost their communities. It is being executed by the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs in collaboration with the Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO). A team of VSO specialists will host training in areas such as aquaculture, business development, marketing and finance, food technology, pest control and agriculture.

According to GINA, the VSO team is set to be in Guyana for two years and will be directly supporting communities in order to develop enterprises unique to each community. “The ground work has already been done, and some specialists are already working in the field with communities in Region One,” the release said. The specialists are nationals of Nigeria, the Philippines, United Kingdom and Canada and include Entomologist Jora Brar who will be focusing on the pest control; Stephen Dandas who will provide training on various aspects of entrepreneurship and business management; Food Technologist Malian Mwangi; Aquaculture Development Advisor Jinky Comon; Marketing and Finance Specialist Michael Sharp and Agriculture Development Advisor Frederick Fajardo.