Guyana, 29 June, 2021 - To protect the Adolescents and Youths in Guyana, the Ministry of Health, the Adolescent Health Unit, and Guyana PAHO/WHO implemented the Adolescent Health and Wellbeing project. The Susan Buffet Foundation funded this project. Several schools in Linden District, Region 10, were sensitized on the Coronavirus Disease and COVID-19 Vaccines. The schools visited were Linden Foundation, Mackenzie High School, New Silver City Secondary School, Wisburg Secondary School, Harmony Secondary, and the "For the Childrens' Sake Foundation."
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Guyana has closed all schools in March 2020. However, in September 2020, the Ministry of Education allowed the tenth and eleventh grades students to attend school to continue the school syllabus. These students will sit the 2021 Caribbean Secondary School Examinations. Vital information on COVID-19 and the benefits of taking COVID-19 vaccines (which have proven to reduce infections and hospitalization rates around the globe) was shared. In addition, reintroducing the School Health Clubs in schools was discussed during the sessions, and students shared their interest in becoming members of their specific school health clubs. Teachers were also enthusiastic about reintroducing the school health club because it helps mold students to become responsible youths.
One hundred and forty-five (145) Adolescent care packages were distributed to the students and teachers at the school health clubs and adolescent-friendly hub during the visits to reinforce adherence to the national COVID-19 guidelines. These packages included necessities (masks, hand sanitizers, disinfecting spray, hand soap, and Lysol wipes) to aid in the fight against the transmission and spread of COVID-19.
As part of capacity building for the Adolescents and Youths of Region 10, the Susan Buffet Foundation project will support Information and Communications Technology (ICT) computer training to strengthen the group's educational development with a certification in computer skills. In addition, Adolescents and Youths from Regions 4 and 9 will also benefit from the scheduled ICT training.
