SASOD Engages in Three Days of Activities for Youth Day

On the eve of International Youth Day, Thursday August 11, the Society Against Sexual Orientation Discrimination (SASOD) hosted a Youth Empowerment Session for 20 young people at their Charlotte Street office in Georgetown. The half-day session which was facilitated by renowned Guyanese motivational speaker and personal development coach Dr. Astell Collins focused on self- discovery, leadership, enhancing talents, abilities, and strengths to maximize potential and having emotional intelligence for good mental health. The session, which was well received by the participants, began three days of activities from the human-rights organisation to commemorate International Youth Day. Lunch and juice for the participants were donated by Bettencourt's Food Inc. and Global Fruit Mart, respectively.  

On the Day itself, Friday, August 12, SASOD participated in the Youth Fair organised by the Ministry of Education's Department of Youth which was held at the National Cultural Centre's tarmac.

Jairo Rodrigues engaging participants at Youth Expo

Social Change Coordinator, Jairo Rodrigues, who also holds the organization's portfolio for children's rights and youth affairs expressed that SASOD will continue to encourage and support initiatives that foster development for all persons in its quest for social progression, "The work we do at SASOD involves all sectors of society and impacts all ages, ethnicities, genders, and all backgrounds. If we are to achieve equity and justice for all Guyanese as our mission sets out, then we must invest in our country's most valuable resource and that is our people. Why not celebrate and empower the youths of the day; as the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon expressed that the youth are not the leaders of tomorrow, they are the leaders of today."

On Saturday, August 13, the organization also presented a booth at the Just Youth It Conference 2016 hosted by the Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI) at the Pegasus Hotel in Kingston, Georgetown. Representing SASOD as a participant, Assistant Treasurer on the Board of Directors, Trevor Garner expressed that the conference was one that not only educated but inspired youths to strive for the advancement of themselves and their communities, "It was about identifying your strengths and weaknesses, we were taught that you must have and out vision and know your focus, in time you will eventually find success. It was really enlightening" he said.

SASOD's booth at the Just Youth It Conference.