In the Leguan community today, the children are being significantly deprived of higher educational opportunities much like most areas in Guyana. The excellent capabilities of children of this small island are not entirely fostered through positive reinforcement, motivation, and positive influence. Instead, they are limited to a large percent of the world, as we know it in larger cities and countries. I go back to Guyana regularly and upon each visit I recognize young students with the mentality that represents a lack of exposure to the outside world, a limitation to their capacities as children of this era. This letter is designed to inform each of you of the importance and the goals of the program that will be created to assist the students of Leguan. Please read carefully and keep in mind the long-term benefits and also the necessity of what is planned.
My name is Shevani Sahadeo. I am an eighteen-year-old student at Seneca College in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. I am currently studying social services work. This is a program that will enable me to pursue an occupation in the community services field, which refers to helping individuals in a variety of ways. For example, addictions, mental health, community development, senior assistance, employment services, there are a number of fields and these are simply a few.
I was born in Leguana Guyana and attended Merville Public School. I moved to Georgetown then later to Canada. As an individual who came from a country where education is at a significantly low level, it was amazing to find that in Canada education is highly valid and enhanced. I am aware that this is not the children’s fault neither the educators of the island primarily. However education is a blessing and must be taken seriously. I believe that significant steps can be taken in order to develop the children of Leguan with a positive view of education.
I remember my mother saying that these children are so smart yet are not being assisted enough with their education. I have recognized over the years that this is incredibly true. I do not intend to target the education system negatively and devalue the efforts of the educators of the island. However, I do believe that the education system can be enhanced.
As a young adult of Guyanese descent, with a great concern for the children of the country with regards to their future in education, I desire to assist in increasing the interest for education and to help in developing students' understanding of the importance of this blessing. I am aware that there are many outreach programs already in progress for many areas of the country, however my focus is on the Essiquibo islands primarily Leguan for now. I am in the process of contacting government authority on the island and also on a national level.
I have developed many ideas on how to help the young students of this island. I will first create two groups from the two main primary schools of Leguan. The students currently in Prep B and those in Primary three. The younger individuals will be assisted with reading and creative writing and also activities. The older group will also be assisted with reading, writing and math, but will also become familiar with the different learning strategies that will help them with tests and studying. They will also be given the opportunities to use encyclopedias and textbooks from Canada in order to be exposed to new and interesting material. With regards to English, I intend on assist with grammar, pronunciation, vocabulary, critical thinking and creative writing. I also intend on helping the students with public speaking skills, leadership skills, teamwork, and problem solving. In the process of engaging in the activities mentioned above, students will be experiencing entertaining yet constructive exercises. In this manner, they are actively gaining knowledge yet not allowing childhood to pass them by. This does not mean everything will involve games and be labeled as "nonsense," in the eyes of the parents.
There are many other ideas that are now being well thought out and steps being developed in order to make the ideas become a reality. A teacher in my college program who has done similar work in the corantiene mention the importance of completing a need's assessment in the area in which I wish to complete the designed program. While the ideas that I have created are necessary, there are also other needs that the people of the island wish to be tended to. A needs assessment will be accomplished by adolescent volunteers of the island in the manner of completing a survey in schools and homes. Through this, I will be given a clearer understanding of what the people need and therefore be able to meet those needs.
I have written this article in order to inform the Guyanese community in Canada of what I am planning to do in order to gain more ideas. I know that there are many individuals who wish to give back to Guyana in some way and have not done so because of preoccupations in personal life.
I plan on spending three months after obtaining my diploma in social work in Guyana to help students. If anyone has further ideas on how to enhance this program please comment or email me at shivani.1@hotmail.com
There will be further articles with the in-depth details of the program and education plan.
