Seventy per cent of participants in hinterland youth scheme paid -Ministry

Seventy per cent of the participants in the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme across the country have received their stipends, according to the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs.

A statement to the press from the ministry explained an outstanding balance of $20,888,000 for youths and facilitators from Region One (Barima/Waini), Region Seven (Cuyuni/Mazaruni) and Region Eight (PotaroSiparuni) will be paid shortly.

The release said the initiative had made “remarkable strides” in meeting its desired goals in spite of a few teething problems which caused some delay in terms of payment of stipends.

Close to 2,000 youth and 400 facilitators nationwide are involved in the HEYS programme, the release said.

Participants are engaged in six core courses: Capacity Building, Life Skills, Entrepreneurship, EcoTourism, Agriculture and the flagship course Concentrated Language Experience.

They are also exposed to a number of vocational skills, including, but not limited to, carpentry/joinery, garment construction, cake decorating/catering, electrical installation, auto-mechanics, masonry, craft and information technology.

Government has approved just over $977 million for the execution of the HEYS programme, which is intended to give youth a second chance at the numerous opportunities available.

The release stated most of the villages are almost at the halfway mark of the programme duration and participants have expressed great enthusiasm and satisfaction with the quality of training received so far.