The Rotary Club of Stabroek, Georgetown recently commissioned a playground at Vigilance for the Buxton Youth Developers (BYD) Project through partnerships with UNICEF and Scotiabank.

In a press release the Club said it has supported the BYD Literacy and Community Development Project since 2007. The group started with 50 students and now has an enrolment of 300. The Project was founded by Buxtonian Robin Phillips and “is premised on the enjoyable aspects of reading and writing and underpinning this is the belief that it is easier to learn something when actively involved and having fun through sports.”

In keeping with this, the Club partnered with UNICEF, Scotiabank, BYD and the Buxton/Foulis Neigh-bourhood Democratic Council to provide the playground which is the best possible venue for “the unfolding of capacities and talents.”

At the opening ceremony hosted last Sunday UNICEF Acting Resident Representative Jeffery Ijumba said the playground is critical for youth development through sport. Meanwhile, Rotarian Lenny Shuffler underscored the importance of the community taking ownership of the playground to ensure that it remains a place where children can play in peace and safety.

Additionally, Scotiabank Market-ing Manager Jennifer Cipriani-Nelson noted that the bank was happy to partner with the Project and is optimistic that it will project a positive image of Buxton and neighbouring communities. She also handed over a cheque for Cdn$5,000 to the Rotary Club “for the advancement of the BYD initiative in an effort to regain the glory of Buxton through sports, education and culture.”

According to the release, Edward Neblett provided musical accompaniment at the opening ceremony.