Twenty-nine girls who participated in the Ministry of Public Telecommunication’s ‘Guyanese Girls Code’ camp were yesterday awarded certificates for their successful completion of the five-week training programme during a mini-exhibition of the projects that they developed.
In July, the ministry launched the camp for girls from various secondary schools across George-town. According to Donnella Collison, the Outreach coordinator from the ministry, this year’s camp represents the iteration of the programme. However, unlike last year’s, it targeted girls from specific schools across Georgetown that did not have adequate computer learning programmes.
East Ruimveldt, Lodge, Queenstown, Brickdam and Charlestown secondary schools were targeted but interested participants from St Joseph High, St John’s College and St Mary’s High were also included. “Last year, a lot of students from Queen’s College participated in the programme and the others didn’t get a chance. We want other schools to have equal opportunities,” Collison added.
The programme reportedly concluded earlier this week and to celebrate the success of the programme a mini-exhibition was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre from 11 am to 2 pm to showcase the work that was produced by the girls. Before the exhibition started, the participants received certificates for successful completion of the programme.
The tutors involved in the programme were Wonella Marks, Samantha Seepersaud and Stephanie Simon, who taught participants basic computer literacy, computer coding and programming, and website and animation development.
It was noted that the participants used their training in website and animation development for projects that focused on topics such as suicide prevention, child abuse, pollution, and teenage pregnancy.
The animations and screenshots of the websites that were created were shown during a PowerPoint presentation, while printouts were showcased at the exhibition.
Marks revealed that she enjoyed teaching the participants, who showed “genuine interest” in learning about the various computer topics.
Angeleena Thompson, 15, who attends South Ruimveldt Secondary School, disclosed that she participated in the first programme, which motivated her to take part in this year’s programme. She said unlike the first programme, this one was very difficult for her but she nonetheless learned a lot and was grateful for the opportunity. Thompson and fellow participants Delissa Rose and Sherola Brandt decided to base their projects on suicide prevention given the pre-valence of suicide among teenagers and among the larger Guyanese society.
Christie Cordis, of Queenstown Secondary School, participated in the programme because she was told that it would be a fun learning experience but more importantly to improve her learning ability. “I learned a lot!” she said. Cordis and Charlene Wilkinson, 14, also of Queenstown Secondary, did a project on child abuse so that people can become more aware of the issue in Guyana. “I want the people to know that it is wrong and they must stop it,” Cordis said.
Wilkinson revealed that being a regular follower of the local news, she has read a number of articles pertaining to the abuse of child by family member, especially by parents. “We want to spread the world that they are not alone and there are people who are willing to help them because deep down inside they hide their feelings and they don’t want to express [them],” she said.
Speaking about the overall programme, she said it was “great and very empowering” but most of all it enhanced her computer skills, which she plans to share with others.
For 12-year-old Condoleesa Reid and Bibi Ali of St Mary’s High school, the programme was fun and interesting. One of their projects focused on land pollution. They chose land pollution because travelling in and around the city, the first thing they notice is garbage. They highlighted one area, which was east of the Conference Centre. “We want to make people aware of it and to stop it,” Reid said.
Thirteen-year-old Kassidy Featherstone added that the tutors were very friendly and she gained immense knowledge during the programme. She said if the ministry does a similar programme next year, she would “happily” participate again.
