YCG engages physical development for OVCs

Jul 27, 2008 News

With a view to providing caregivers and mentors with requisite knowledge to deliver physical development techniques to orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), particularly those infected and affected by HIV/AIDS, Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG) has engaged a Physical Development Programme.

According to coordinator of the programme, Rawl Prescott, the objective of the venture is to improve the ability of OVCs to cope with physical and emotional challenges through exercise, even as they are faced with the challenges which can be brought on by the direct or indirect scourge of the dreaded HIV/AIDS virus.

Prescott revealed that the venture, which is being funded by USAID/GHARP, was conceptualised after it was recognised that physical development of many OVCs is greatly lacking.

He noted that although YCG has had a thriving successful OVC programme over the years, it had never before contemplated moving into the physical arena.

Among the services offered to OVCs through the programme are academic edification and psychosocial development.

Prescott said that the caregivers and other guardians of OVCs recently benefited from a nutritional programme which YCG had engaged with the collaboration of the National Agriculture Research Institute (NARI).

And, according to him, the nutritional venture, which is geared at not only helping to provide proper diets for OVCs, was also intended to be an avenue through which those that care for the vulnerable children secure an income.

Since its commencement earlier this year, Prescott said, there has been a notable improvement in the nutritional satisfaction of OVCs.

He said that caregivers have been indulging in the practice of growing their own kitchen gardens and, by extension, have embraced the Ministry of Agriculture’s ‘Grow More’ drive. However, although the nutritional aspect of the OVCs is being better addressed, Prescott said, it was observed that their physical development level also needed to be examined.

And, according to him, the physical development process entails simple routine exercise that can be conducted at home with limited resources and space.

YCG, according to Prescott, also collaborated with a number of interested organisations, among them some churches, Buddy’s Gym, the Guyana Motor Racing and Sports Club, and J R Burgers.

The sessions with the OVCs were primarily facilitated by personal trainer Aubrey Henry and a few members of the Scorpion Basketball Team, whose collaboration was made possible through Mr Vijay Panday.

YCG, according to Prescott, will continue to derive innovative ways to help improve the lives of the OVC.