FACT, ExxonMobil Guyana partner on STEM programme - 80 Region Six youth to benefit

The Family, Awareness, Consciousness & Togetherness (FACT) organisation on Tuesday launched a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) afterschool programme in East Berbice to benefit 80 primary and secondary students and their families. The aim is to use STEM education to reduce school dropouts, child labour, and the risk of involvement in criminal activities.

In addition to the STEM classes, which will be conducted by trained teachers and volunteers, the children will be taught soft skills, such as setting goals, good mannerisms, communicating appropriately and the Rights of the Child by a social worker and counsellor. Their parents will receive guidance on good parenting, being engaged in their children’s educational pursuits, and social issues such as domestic violence and HIV/Aids.      

FACT founder Annette Jaundoo said she was elated that ExxonMobil Guyana agreed to fund the project. “It is a year and a half now since our organisation has been funded for such a programme. It’s needed even more than before because of the Covid situation affecting all of us, more so the children who are not able to attend school and get the help they need.”

Attending Tuesday’s official launch, ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Advisor, Ryan Hoppie, noted that the company places much importance on its involvement in such projects. “ExxonMobil is committed to providing educational opportunities that contribute to the advancement of young people. STEM education has been one of our focuses because we believe it sets the stage for development both at the individual and national levels and we’re happy to partner with FACT on this project,” he added.  
The programme, which runs until August, will cater for 40 primary school students on Mondays and Tuesdays and 40 secondary students on Wednesdays and Thursdays at FACT’s office at Number 78 Village, Corriverton. The students and families were chosen from previous programmes conducted by FACT, recommendations from their schools, other NGOs and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.

FACT is located in Region Six and offers a comprehensive range of services to the community and executes programmes addressing various social issues.