20060318 Houston Community High McDoom, page 1

Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Houston, McDoom Meadow Bank

Date: 18th March, 2006.

Region: 4 NDC McDoom-Meadow Bank

Venue: Houston Community High

Facilitators: Cheryl McClure-Cyrus, Gavin Gounja and Mignon Lowe

What we can celebrate as positives in Guyana

·  There are community minded citizens who are willing to work together for the development of the community and country.

·  There are organisations that are eager to support projects which will foster attitudes and skills in citizens for the development of themselves, community and country.

Elements of a vision for Guyana

·  A country where there is respect for all regardless of age, race or religion.

·  The presence of recreational facilities and clubs to engage our youths.

·  More emphasis on education so that the type of education offered must prepare our young citizens to function effectively in society.

·  A country that can better manage its social problems.

·  A reformed Guyana.

·  Constructive engagement of our youths.

Present Local Conflicts/Areas of Tension

Infrastructure:

1.  Poor quality of water is obtained from the well in the community.

2.  The mains for pipes run across the drains and in instances where there's seepage the pipe water can become contaminated with drain water and this is a health hazard.

3.  Poor street lighting poses a danger for residents.

Access to opportunities and Resources:

4.  Lack of recreational facilities creates idling among of the youths.

Family Life:

5.  Youths and parents: This was the major area of concern for those present.

6.  Residents are worried about the young people who idle on the streets, possess limited education, some drug users or sellers and other at home because there are no jobs. They have scant respect for adults. Of great concern also is the fact that parents do not possess the knowledge to guide these children in the right direction. Some of them are poor role models

Potential for Violent Conflict

1.  Because of the problem with the youths the peace and safety of residents in the area is threatened.

2.  Too many young people possess weapons and implements and this poses a threat to community members.

Concrete commitments and ideas towards overcoming challenges

Social Programme:

The participants have decided to implement a project which will target youths and parents. Among the participants was a social worker who needed support to implement her programme. This conversation made it possible for her to get the support she needed to make her plans possible and to create a positive change in the community.

Any other Observations

It was suspected that the poor attendance at the conversation was linked to the fact that just 90 minutes before the scheduled start of the conversation there was a 'shootout' in the community and one child was murdered and his mother shot and in a critical state.

The five persons who attended the conversation expressed their fear about attending the conversation at such a tensed time. They nevertheless engaged in the conversation and the result was successful. The Conversation lasted three hours.

Ms. Christine King CEO for the ERC represented the organization at the conversation.

Representative for Regional Conversation

Mr. Donald Mentis was elected to be the community representative at the regional Conversation.