News Archives 1            News Archives 2
 

Volume 2

What Happened!

Web site Launched The Guyana IYV 2001 Committee launched its web site http://www.iyv2001.org.gy an initiative in keeping with the years objectives to recgonise, facilitate, network and promote volunteerism. www. Iyv2001.org.gy hosted by the Sustainable Development Networking Project (SDNP) provides information on IYV International and IYV in Guyana with Guyana Update a fortnightly news letter, a list of volunteer agencies International and Local; a calendar of events, a list of volunteer opportunities, photo gallery and a page on which volunteers share their experiences in volunteerism. It is the objective of the Committee to have this site as the key location for information on volunteerism in Guyana with regional and international links. The Webmaster is Munirih Mancy, herself a volunteer with the SDNP. Local newspapers, radio and television covered this event. Medical Outreach Guyana IYV 2001 Committee supported a medical outreach programme organized by Health Care 2001. The objective of the outreach was to offer health care to under privileged persons. This was made possible through the voluntary service of a number of Doctors and Nurses. Doctors with various specialties attended to approximately 100 persons. United Nations Volunteer Doctor Dr. Abdel Munim Abdalla conducted minor surgery. Other Doctors volunteering for the day were Dr. Bera, Dr. Bernardo, Dr. Leslie Persaud and Dr. King. Hampers and a hot meal were provided to all patients seeking medical attention.  Health Care 2001, which was established on the 8th of May 2000 has sponsored a number of medical outreach programmes. They have recently extended their service to include providing cheer and donating supplies such as food, clothing and toiletries to those in need. The television Programme Health Care Hosted by Joan Williams may be seen on NTN CH. 16 cab. 69 on Wednesday’s evenings at 7:30p.m. Photos from this event were carried in the local newspapers and on television as part of the Health Care television programme.

What's Next?

On going media coverage featuring volunteer groups, projects will be on Radio, Television and newspapers.  These will be in keeping with IYV monthly themes:     March  Gender and Women's Rights May  Emergency Relief July Private Sector & Corporate Volunteering September Peace November Children's Health June Environment August Youth Education & Training October Older Persons December Human Rights March Volunteer Fair & Exhibition March 4, 2001. VSO volunteer Sue Miller has organized a community affair in Corriverton. IYV will be present to share information and Certificates of commendation to community groups, in recognition of their voluntary contribution to the community. As part of the Women’s Affairs Bureau’s celebrations for International Women’s Day, IYV will have a booth at the Exhibition Scheduled from the 5 – 10 March at the Ministry of Human Service & Social Security Water Street Georgetown. IYV will also participate on a Radio Programme Women Home & Family (on Wednesday 7 at 2:00 p.m. to discuss women and volunteerism in Guyana. VSO volunteers reception March 1, 2001 Eight VSO volunteers arrived in Guyana in February to serve in the water, education, agricultural and information technology sectors. UN Resident Representative Mr. Richard Olver was invited to make a delivery on the importance of IYV and plans for its observation in Guyana. Guyana IYV 2001 Committee will launch a poster competition to adapt the IYV poster to Guyana. The winning selection will be launched as part of the grand IYV Guyana street fair & Exhibition scheduled for May. April The focus will be on health, and there will be a number of medical outreach programmes. More information on this later . . . '

 

Volume 1

WHAT’S HAPPENED!

The Guyana IYV 2001 Committee has been involved in the following activities: 1. IYV Coordinator Renee Peroune, assumed position January 15, 2001 2. The Committee agreed on activities in observance of IYV 2001. These include: IYV postal stamps/poster competition; volunteer summits; A historical account of volunteerism in Guyana – booklet; street fair/ exhibition and launching ceremony, Mobile exhibition; volunteer mentoring; school competitions i.e. debates/ essay competitions etc; environmental projects; culminating in a grand closing ceremony which will involve a volunteer conference and awards ceremony. 3. TV appearance, the IYV Coordinator participated in the Prize Giving Ceremony “Literacy Explosion 2000” hosted by the Volunteer Youth Corps, Guyana Junior Chamber, Guyana Youth and Students Movement, Guyana Table Tennis Association, Youth with a Mission and Maltinos Sports Club. This initiative was part of the Guyana STI/HIV/AIDS project, where each participating group contributed to the project in various ways. This essay competition was to raise the awareness of STI/HIV/AIDS amongst youths. The IYV coordinator presented one of the prizes and gave a brief presentation of IYV 2001 and IYV in Guyana. The evening’s proceedings were broadcast on National television. The Volunteer Youth Corps is a voluntary health and social organization comprising of young people between the ages of 18-25; Guyana Junior Chamber  “Jaycees” the local affiliate of Junior Chamber International involved in leadership development and training; Guyana Youth and Students Movement is the youth arm of the PNC/Reform Political Party; Guyana Table Tennis Association is the main coordinating body for the table Tennis Sports in Guyana and provides opportunity for young people to exert their energies in a positive direction;’ Youth with a Mission is a local Christian centered organization that is involved in various community outreach programmes; and Maltinos Sports Club local sports organizations that recruits and trains young people as professionals in various sporting disciplines. 4. Newspaper Supplement, A one-page newspaper supplement was prepared and published in the Sunday Stabroek and Chronicle. This included Messages on the Occasion of the International year of Volunteers from Mr. Richard Olver, Resident Representative, UNDP, Guyana and Mr. Clement Rohee, Hon. Minister of Foreign Affairs. The response to this publication was excellent. Persons called in to become involved in volunteer groups/ activities and offered various resources. A register of interested persons is being compiled and individuals/ groups will be linked to particular events according to skills/ interests.

WHAT’S NEXT?

During February the Guyana IYV Committee will host a press conference at which the Committee members will be introduced and the local IYV website will be launched. Committee Members are: Ms. Carla Thomas, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ms. Jacquelyn Mounter, Ministry of Culture Youth and Sports Dr. Leslie Chin, Director Canadian Executive Services Overseas & Guyana Volunteer Consultancy Dr. Hardy Frye, Country Director, Peace Corps Ms. Beverly Edwards, Executive Director, Youth Challenge Guyana Ms. Jennifer Britton, Programme Officer, Voluntary Service Overseas Mr. Kenroy Roach, Volunteer Youth Corps Mr. Oliver Wittershagen, Programme Officer, United Nations Volunteers This website www.iyv2001.org.gy, (under construction) will be hosted by the Sustainable Development Networking Project and have links to Global IYV and local volunteer organizations. On going media coverage featuring volunteer groups, projects will be on Radio, Television and newspapers. These will be in keeping with IYV monthly focus. Volunteer Fair & Exhibition March 4, 2001. VSO volunteer Sue Miller has organized a community affair in Corriverton.  IYV will be present to share information and Certificates of commendation to community groups, in recognition of their voluntary contribution to the community.