Latest update April 20th, 2024 12:59 AM
May 01, 2016 News
The roosters had not yet began to crow when 26 Social Work students from the University of Guyana (UG)’s Tain Campus and their lecturer Egla October left Berbice to share their knowledge and skills with students at the New
Opportunity Corps (NOC) in Region Two last Tuesday.
After crossing three rivers on their way to the Essequibo Coast, the tired but enthusiastic group arrived at the correctional facility just after 07:00 hrs and were welcomed by NOC Administrators Mr. Mark Dover, Parasram Singh and Senior Training Officers at the facility. The seventy well uniformed NOC students (34 males and 36 females) were delighted to receive training in survival skills and other aspects of social etiquette.
Under the guidance of their Lecturer and her students, the NOC students were taught how to recycle things from around the house such as tissue paper rolls, old newspapers, plastic bottles, pieces of cloth, ‘salt’ bags, and damaged clothing that would otherwise be thrown away as garbage.
The youngsters were taught to make craft items that could be personally used, given as gifts or sold. The Social Etiquette training segment commenced after lunch and the students were taught the skills in social graces, courtesy rules and table etiquette. Lectures in self esteem and self confidence were also part of the sessions.
In addition to the skills taught, the Social Work students presented undergarments to the students. Items were also presented to the institution on behalf of Guyana-born, Wanetta Phillips MBA, who is a former employee of AT&T, USA.
Philips is a Community Advocate and volunteer with Organizing for Action (OFA) a non-profit, non partisan Organisation and the Issue Leader for the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare for the New Jersey State, USA.
During the sharing of the Appreciation, a ‘Success Story’ was disclosed by one of the University students to the students of the NOC. The student shared her experiences of once being in NOC and later, a student of the University of Guyana.
She encouraged the NOC students to transcend the expectations of others and the negative forces of society to become respectable, productive citizens. They were also told that “NOC is not the end of the road”. The hope was expressed by many in attendance that this student’s journey would serve as a positive influence and motivator.
The UG Social Work students were treated to lovely music as “Not a blade of Grass” among other renditions was played on steel pans by the NOC students.
NOC is a truly place of new opportunity, as students are exposed to vocational skills such as: electrical installation, Catering, Agriculture, Hand craft, Welding, Joinery, Information Technology and Garment Construction. Some of the students are even privileged to attend regular school
It was noted by one of the Training Officers that when they learnt that UG Students wanted to visit, in what was the first trip of its kind, they never envisaged that it would have such a huge positive impact on the students. He pointed to the eagerness of the students to participate and learn, while commending the method used to disseminate information.
Requests were made by the Senior Training Officer and other Management staff for the UG students to conduct more such visits. It was noted that there is a dire need for social workers at NOC. Presently there is only one social worker, a retiree, who practices there.
Where is the BETTER MANAGEMENT/RENEGOTIATION OF THE OIL CONTRACTS you promised Jagdeo?
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