“Inspire Guyana”, a new magazine aimed at helping students to ascertain what they want to be by providing career information and professionals’ profiles, was launched on Saturday evening in Georgetown.
“I never went overseas to live; I have a heart for the children of Guyana and I am committed to staying here and working with them, developing them,” those were the words of Captain Orlando Charles, the owner of the new magazine.
Charles said the magazine is aimed at informing young people of the opportunities they would have available when they finish school. He said: “I realised, over the past 10 years, students are not sure of what they want to become, so I thought of ways of informing them.” Captain Charles continued that the initial idea was to produce a handout, but it grew and the idea for the magazine was conceived.
Tricia Azaire, production coordinator of the magazine, said after observing some of the career days held for students, they found that they left much to be desired, hence they identified the areas that were lacking.
She said, “Students were very receptive to the idea, because, in retrospect, it would have been ideal for them to decide what subjects they were going to write at Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.”
She further explained that the magazine has an interactive page whereby readers can provide feedback and give information on what they would like to see published in the magazine.
Azaire further stated that the magazine will be published bi-monthly and would be available for the low cost of $400. She added that they are looking to work with the ministries that conduct training programmes, so the magazines could be made available to their students also.
“For people to aspire to greatness they need two things, which are access and opportunity, which we are looking to do,” she declared.
Culture, Youth, and Sport Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who briefly addressed the gathering, said he sees the magazine as a way for youths to get role models, since it features personality profiles. “This magazine is aptly named “Inspire Guyana”… it is an extremely good way for youths to get role models.”
He added that he welcomes the initiative and his ministry looks forward to working with the team in their endeavour to enhance the lives of Guyana’s youth.
Also addressing the gathering was 2013 top CSEC student Zimeena Rasheed, who was also featured in the magazine. She noted that the magazine was an excellent initiative and an extremely great thing for its intended audience. “Young people will now be able to explore and choose from the opportunities offered to them in Guyana.”
Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Senior Assistant Registrar Verieux Mourillon has endorsed the publication. Verieux said: “Inspire Guyana will connect the dots from the career information, the study path and meeting financial requirements to the continued building of a prosperous and peaceful Guyana.”
The publisher noted that the magazine will be made available in schools next week and readers will also be given the opportunity to win prizes.