Ersity partner venile centre
him up. We had a meeting and within a few days we visited Sophia and now we are here,” he explained.
“When Brian told me about the place, I thought it was absolutely horrific and we jumped at the opportunity to help these kids,” O’Toole added.
Explaining the Nations’ service initiative, the University Director said though sixth formers are not compelled to be a part of the project, they are encouraged to participate as it offers them a unique opportunity to have meaningful interactions that may help mould them into well-rounded individuals.
Some of the other projects that they have participated in include working with underprivileged kids from the Tiger Bay, which has been one of the longest standing projects, and working with differently-abled children.
Like the Tiger Bay afterschool project, the new project does not have a specific timeline as Nations University and EPIC Guyana are committed to helping the youth of the facility for as long as they are allowed to.
In terms of what they hope to achieve through the new project, O’Toole said, “It’s our hope that we would be able to give those kids the understanding that some people care. And the best people for them to relate to is 17 and 18 year olds, because while talking may not change the situation right away, it offers them an opportunity to have a different outlook on things and that in itself can improve one’s thought process.”
Backer added, “Our goal is to bring each of the kids up to their grade level. If we can do that, then we have succeeded… the kids are really excited about the programme and we even had a few who asked how they can follow up what they started there when they get released.”
Backer emphasised, “We are not trying to take ownership of this, we are just trying to play our part by raising our voices and hoping that others will join it…it takes everybody and everybody has to play their part.”
O’Toole added, “I think it would be a meaningful experience for my kids and I think they would be able to come away with something valuable and I think that’s more important than getting two A’s and a B.”