Belle West Youths Are 2021 Prepared Speech Champs

BELLE WEST YOUTH GROUP WON THE SECOND ANNUAL INTER CLUB
PREPARED SPEECH COMPETITION IN OBSERVANCE OF YOUTH WEEK 2021,
said Ms. Daniela Darbarrie, a Social Worker and Youth Coordinator at the Department of
Youth, in the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Sport.
Darbarrie said second and third places were secured by Small Steps Big Impact Youth Group
and One Nation Youth Movement, respectively.
She also said Gabriel Josè won the Best Presenter prize.
Judges were drawn from Regional Democratic Council (RDC);,  the Department of
Education in the Region and the Ministry of Culture, youth and Sport.
Darbarrie told www.aroundtheregions.com this year’s competition was held last Saturday at
Belle West Youth Friendly Space in Essequibo Islands/West Demerara, (Region Three).
She was elated that the initiative was “well received” among the youths although the topic
was ‘Impact of Covid 19 on youths in Guyana’. Darbarrie justified the topic noting the
Department recognised that young people are indeed affected by the pandemic drastically,
and as such, they are seeking to gauge their emotions and hear first-hand how they have been
affected by the deadly pandemic.

The Department said the competition was also held despite the pandemic to cull
recommendations from participants and to assure the public that the Department is always
prepared to listened and assist them “in whatever way possible”.
"We are pleased with the response as the groups that signalled their intention to participate
did participate. They were all eager to take part in this activity which was held in recognition
of Youth Week," she said.
Darbarrie explained the annual activity is to help boost the art of public speaking among
Region Three youths.
Because of existing COVID-19 protocols and restrictions, the general public was debarred
from this year’s event.
"Unfortunately, the activity was only for the youth clubs and not the public because we
had to adhere to the Covid 19 guidelines. Of course, all Covid 19 guidelines were in
effect for those in attendance," Darbarrie said.