The Hinterland scholarship programme, 1962 to 2012

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research held the fifth annual Research Conference on  Saturday 30 June, 2012 in the Conference Room of the National Library.  The Conference chairs were, Ms. Akima McPherson, Mr. Dion Abrams, Mr. Lennox Hernandez and Mrs. Abraham Alli. 
The presenters were, Mr. Autry Haynes, Mrs. Nadia Gamel- Carter, Mr. Michael Khan, Mr. Hugh Payne, Mr. Terrence Fletcher, Mr. William Harris and Mr. Edward Jarvis.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme, 1962 to 2012

                                                                        By
  Edward Jarvis, Coordinator FAST Track Initiative.  World Bank  Programme

In Guyana when we speak of the Hinterland, we are referring to the interior administrative regions, namely, Region One, (Barima/Waini), Region Seven, (Mazaruni/Cuyuni), Region Eight, (Potaro/Siparuni) and, Region nine, (Upper Essequibo/Upper Takutu).   It is this geographic consideration which led in the first place to the scholarship programme being titled the Amerindian Scholarship programme and later, the Hinterland Scholarship programme.

The Amerindian Scholarship programme, now known as the Hinterland Scholarship Programme, was introduced by the Government of Guyana in 1962.  The scholarship programme was renamed the Hinterland Scholarship programme in 1976.   In 1976, therefore, the first batch of non- Amerindian children was awarded Hinterland Scholarships.

The Ministries of Works and Communications and Local Government were also responsible for the Hinterland Scholarship Programme respectively.  In 1997, the Regional Scholarship Programme was introduced.  This allowed for top top performing students at the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, (National Grade Six Assessment) from various regions to enjoy the benefits of the programme without leaving their various interior/hinterland locations.

Some students were also awarded scholarships to study at the Guyana School of Agriculture and the Burrowes School of Art.   The ages of students attending the technical institutions ranged from 16 to 25 years, while the ages of those attending the regular secondary schools ranged from 10 to 16 years.

The Programme

Students admitted to the Hinterland Scholarship programme based on academic performance at the Regional level are therefore enrolled at the regional secondary schools or at secondary schools and other institutions in Georgetown.   The Hinterland Scholarship programme is coordinated by the Hinterland Scholarship Division of the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs which is staffed by a senior social welfare officer, a social welfare officer and two student affairs officers.  The scholarship department manages the affairs of the Hinterland and Amerindian Scholarship Awardees.   Some of the services from which children benefit while being on the Hinterland Scholarship Programme include various club activities, library facilities and particiption in various national events.

HINTERLAND DEVELOPMENT IN GUYANA WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO ROAD CONSTRUCTION

                                                        By Terrence Fletcher

A chronological table of trail, road and, railroad interior development from the turn of the twentieth century is presented.   The rationalization of these developments to specify economic developments is discussed.   The commencement of the evolution of these individual elements into an effective transportation network is analyzed.  Future trends are broadly discussed.

The Hinterland Scholarship Programme, 1962 to 2012

HIV IN AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES

HIV IN AMERINDIAN COMMUNITIES

                                                           BY

                                                  Autry Haynes

The Amerindian population of Guyana is approximately 70,000 representing 9.2% of the country's population.  The majority of this indigenous population group lives in the rainforested hinterland comprising Administratives regions 1,7,8 and 9.   The geographic location of these regions, far from the coastland where 70% of Guyana's population live, results in disparities and inequality of national sevices, including health and social services.   According to 2004 data, HIV prevalence rates among the indigenous populations were still low.  However, the Government recognizes that underreporting of HIV is a problem.   The Ministry of Health estimates 60% underreporting of cases, the result of which is that the true magnitude and determinants of the epidemic are largely unknown and it can be assumed to be even worse where indigenous people are concerned.

The HIV epidemic in Guyana is a serious public health problem, with negative economic and social implications.  Any loss or reduction of human capital and earning potential is devastating in the Guyana context where, according to the 2006 Annual Report of the Ministry of Health, AIDS- related deaths ranked as the number one cause of death among persons aged 25 to 44 years.

Several government and non-governmental agencies, institutions and organisations have been contributing to prevention and mitigation of HIV and its effects in the indigenous communities.  Aquick review of some work done by these agencies seem to indicate that while HIV remains a threat to the public's health and wellbeing, the incidence among indigenous people remains low.   Notwithstanding this, there must be a concerted effort for sustained initiatives to reduce risk and vulnerabilities by stimulating greater local HIV prevention, treatment, care and support responses and local ownership based on existing strengths within the Amerindian population.

The community Life Competence Process is being advocated as learning by sharing interactive and participatory approach to communities taking ownership and responses for coping with concerns and using strengths to realizing their hopes.   The communities are taken through a six step process of envisioning, self-assess, analysing and prioritisin, and planning for action, initially by using existing strengths. 

HIV in Amerindian Communities

The presentation, 'HIV in Amerindian communities' was delivered by Mr. Autry Haynes.