Youth Education

Youth Education

The youth in our Garifuna communities across the diaspora suffer the fate of being most marginalized. Lack of opportunities, relevant education and support systems have contributed to this reality. With this in mind, GARIU has embarked on the following programs:

Providing laptops:

Apart from the lack of internet connectivity, a high number of our students do not own nor have access to laptops at home. Most report that they use their parents’ phones to research for homework. GARIU is in the process of providing laptops for these students. So far, 13 students have received laptops. We continue to search for resources to provide laptops for the others. Your support in providing laptops for the other students would be greatly appreciated.

The Indigenous Youth Progress Nest (IYPN):

This program involves 46 students from the Seine Bight and Georgetown who graduated from high school in 2022. Considering the high drop out and retention rates among our high schoolers, GARIU embarked on this project which aims to follow this cohort of students and provide soft skills, material and financial support to facilitate their successful completion of high school. A bi-annual workshop is held with the students where they are given opportunities to express themselves, pertaining to their current life experiences and interact with adult mentors, parents and other supporters.

Tuba Bouda Homework Hub:

Most homes in our Garifuna villages do not have internet connectivity. This minimizes students’ performance on their homework assignments that require internet searches. To facilitate this need, GARIU opened the Tuba Bouda Home Work Hub. This is housed at a residence in the center of the village where students can go to access internet, laptops and receive assistance with homework. This is done in collaboration with teachers and parents who volunteer to take turns manning the hub. Currently, we are in need of more laptops for the hub, as well as funds to maintain monthly payment for the internet connection

St Alphonsus RC School Reading Program:

In response to the principal’s request for assistance in tackling the issue of literacy at the school, GARIU embarked on providing the expertise to build a reading program for the school. This entailed hiring reading experts to visit the school, write a program and provided training and supervision for teachers. GARUI also purchased A- Z reading, which is a leading App used by schools internationally to improve reading and literacy. At the time, teachers had to draw images by hand in early childhood classes to teach the sound of letters. GARIU purchased, a printer with inks and donated a laptop that would be dedicated to accessing the App and printing materials for teachers to use. This program must be supported, by continued teacher supervision and analysis of students’ data to ensure that progress is being made as well as the annual renewal of the App contract.

The Garifuna Language and Culture Summer Camp:

This two-week camp hosts 50-60 children every summer. The aim of the camp is to provide social, academic, language and cultural skills to children. This is a free camp that provides, all materials, daily lunch and T-Shirts for participants. Camp for 2024 will be on July 22 to August 3. In previous years, we have received financial and in kind support from Seine Bight Community members. We can always use your support in this so please feel free to sponsor a child for our summer camp 2024. US 25% is enough to provide daily lunch, T- Shirt and materials for one child.