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… as Blossom Inc spreads educational awareness in hinterland village
Students of Warmadong Secondary School were recently given an opportunity to air their concerns about teenage pregnancy when Blossom Inc carried its Spotlight Initiative project to the village.
The project aims to eliminate violence against women and girls. It was unveiled in the Hinterland areas in Region One late last year.
During a four-day outreach to Waramadong, the team planned and implemented several activities geared at addressing gender-based violence in the community. The team, which included Arlyne Ramdatt and Joses Solomon, Education Officers engaged village officials and residents of the village. They were accompanied by Sonia Daniels and Child Protection Officer Miss Edwards- who has responsibility over the entire Region 7- to conduct a needs-based assessment. School teacher, Sharida Jerry also provided support to the team.
The team met former Toshao Charles Jerry and current village councillors and during the course of the discussions , a needs-based assessment was undertaken. “From this meeting several community leaders, including Pastor Bascome expressed their concerns relating to teen pregnancy at the secondary school students,” the body noted.
The visiting officials then conducted an informal meeting with the secondary school students to hear what their concerns about their community are and how they believe Spotlight will be able to help. Ramdatt said the concerns surrounded assistance the teens needed including guidance on how to address teenage pregnancy within the households.
The Spotlight team said it has recognized where additional support is required and a follow-up trip is planned for the area. This second trip will likely focus more on addressing the high cases of teen pregnancy and conducting a round table talk with the parents of the community.
Blossom’s Spotlight team also formally formed a collaboration between Blossom’s Spotlight Initiative and the leaders within Waramadong.
The team continued its LEAP training workshop initiative and during this forum, which included participation from local frontline workers and community leaders, the parties sought to collaborate, empower, and equip persons with the necessary skills to manage and address gender-based violence within their community.
It was noted that 26 persons were certified following a training exercise and 12 persons volunteered to support the Spotlight Initiative by becoming gatekeepers for Waramadong.
Blossom Inc.’s Spotlight Initiative is advocating for all Guyanese to challenge the prevention of violence against women and girls in our communities. “If you see something, say something,” the body urged.
For safe spaces and to make reports of gender-based violence, the general public is asked to contact: Blossom Inc. at 233-6701, the Counselling Hotline at 914, or the Child Protection hotline at 227-0979.
