Linden supports the PYARG – Natasha Baggot

NATASHA BAGGOT is a Field Assistant with the President’s Youth Award – Republic of
Guyana (PYARG) and is optimistic that the programme in Upper Demerara – Berbice (Region
Ten) can empower youths and boost sector development in the resource-rich area.
The Victory Valley resident showered praises on what she said is the administration’s foresight
in linking the scheme with progress for the young in the heavily-impoverished mining
community plagued by high unemployment and the slew of social stalking Region Ten youths.
“In the past this programme helped many young people in and around the region as they were
able to improve several areas of their lives. Once you were a participant (in the PYARG) you
benefited significantly,” she said.

Baggot was one of several young people who participated in a one day recent outreach held at
the Watooka Guest House initiated by Mr. Ivan Bentham, Executive Director of the Programme.
Baggot told the forum she was flummoxed that the APNU+AFC government discontinued the
programme after it won the 2015 polls. Prior to its stoppage, she said it was helping to empower
and impart a wide range of life-skills and social values to participants.
She said some 400 persons from Region Ten are still awaiting their certificates from the previous
government. Bentham promised to ensure that the 3600 participants nationwide will receive ho
their PYARG certificates.
“For Region Ten we have over 400 persons who didn’t receive their certificates and the hurtful
part is that when the programme was stopped nothing formally or properly was said to us and
this is what created a major disappointment not only among the participants but volunteers and
residents because many persons looked forward to this programme and when it was stopped
suddenly, we were all disappointed,” she related.

“I would like to see more (relevant) training programmes created for young people in Region
Ten. We definitely need of some. I would like to congratulate the government on its steps to
creating programmes and projects that will benefit the youths,” Baggot said.
Baggot observed that development in Linden because of indifference of those entrusted to make
it happen. For her, her life is a testimony of upward mobility of participants.
“I enjoyed the programme. I gained a lot of experience from this programme and my appeal is
that the Government would get it back up and running and I am thankful that they have
committed to doing so,” she said.
As the Field Assistant who oversees several unit leaders, Baggot said her role requires
significant, and consistent hard work.
“There are numerous persons from Linden who benefited over the years from the PYARG
programme and I would like to remind the government that the residents of Linden are in
support of this programme and will do whatever it takes to continue supporting it.
However, we ask that there be fair distribution of opportunities as over the years only those
from Georgetown benefited significantly,” Baggot complained.