More than 250 young people in Region Six are now equipped with critical life-saving skills following the official launch of the “Teach Them Young” Learn to Swim Programme at the Albion Estate Compound Pool in Region Six.
The initiative, which recorded a significantly higher turnout than in previous years, was officially introduced in Berbice for the first time, marking a major expansion in its national reach.
Participation surged with numbers increasing from 1,530 in 2025 to over 3,000 in 2026. This underscoes the growing demand for structured youth sport programmes.
Delivering feature remarks, Minister within the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, Steven Jacobs, emphasised the importance of early skill development.
He noted that initiatives, like “Teach Them Young”, play a vital role in identifying and nurturing talent, while preparing young people to represent Guyana at competitive levels.
Beyond sport, the programme delivers far-reaching social and safety benefits, especially in a country where rivers and waterways are central to daily life, and swimming is a critical survival skill.
By teaching children to swim at an early age, the initiative directly helps to reduce the risk of drowning and promotes water safety awareness throughout communities.
Additionally, the programme fosters discipline, confidence, and healthy lifestyles among participants. Its provides a safe and structured environment for youth engagement. It also steers young people toward positive activities while strengthening community involvement and national development through sport.
The government, through the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport and the National Sports Commission, continues to invest in programmes that empower youth, with a sustained focus on expanding access to sporting facilities and opportunities nationwide.