Guyana | Youth Challenge Australia

Youth Challenge Australia is working towards the sixth Millennium Development Goal of achieving universal primary education in Guyana.

“I would recommend volunteering to go on project to anyone because it such an awesome cultural experience and a massive eye opener to the goings-on within the world. It is awesome to be able to exchange experiences and knowledge with these wonderful people and to be able to give them a helping hand wherever possible. The bond that has grown between the community, the group and myself is a lifelong lasting friendship.” – Luke Duffield, Guyana

PROGRAM FAST FACTS:

Location:	Guyana, South America
Duration:	6 - 8 weeks
Dates (approx):	January - February
Project Areas:	Numeracy, Literacy, Youth

PROGRAM OVERVIEW:

The YCA Guyana Program has been involved with over 100 community-identified development projects since 1992. Working in partnership with Youth Challenge Guyana, YCA identify and support communities that require assistance, and work with them towards a sustainable future.

THE VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE:

Volunteers in Guyana experience the colourful cultures and the untouched landscapes of this incredible country. They have the opportunity to work with diverse groups of community members including Afro-Guyanese, Indo-Guyanese and indigenous Amerdinia, and see the many river systems and rainforests which make up Guyana. YCA’s projects in Guyana are identified by the communities themselves and each individual project is different.

Typically, volunteers work on one key project which is usually focused around improving literacy and numeracy. In addition they work on a number of smaller activities based around such issues as HIV/AIDs, health, and youth development objectives. To get an idea of what 8 – 10 weeks in Guyana might look like, have a look at two recent projects.

WHY DO WE WORK IN GUYANA?:

Guyana is one of the poorest countries in the Commonwealth Caribbean. The country’s rates of infant and child mortality are more than double the average for the region. Guyana’s child labour level is the highest in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Guyana is one of the few Caribbean countries whose HIV/AIDS epidemic has spread beyond specific high-risk groups to the general population. At least 7000 children have been orphaned as a result of the virus, nearly 1% of the entire population.

Volunteers experience the lives of Guyanese people and communities first hand, contributing to improvements in the standard of living, and assisting to improve health and increase education in some of the poorest areas.

For more information on Guyana have a look at the Country Profile.

Click here for Guyana Photo Gallery