By Sharmain GraingerThe notion that ‘a nation’s health is a nation’s wealth’ is one that has resonated around the globe forYCG Executive Director, Dmitri Nicholsonmany centuries. This is indeed understandable as without good health, not even the best educated among us would be able to aid the ever imperative developmental strides.In embracing the notion that health is important to nation development, right here in our homeland Governments, both past and present, would usually plug a sizeable chunk of the national budget into the delivery of health care.But while the work of the public health sector is viewed as very important, as is that offered by the private health sector, there are times that other support is required. Such support is often realised through the technical and financial aid from donor agencies,NFL Jerseys China, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and even the business sector and private individuals who have a keen focus on helping to address prevailing health issues.There are many such agencies in Guyana, particularly NGOs that have been unwavering in throwing their support behind things related to health.But today we will share with you a bit of the work of a local NGO which emphasizes the point that the public health sector needs help to reach some of our citizens, particularly some in the far flung areas of Guyana.We moreover bring into the spotlight the work of Youth Challenge Guyana (YCG). The organization was established in 1989. Currently headquartered at Lot G Enachu Street, Section ‘K’ Campbellsville, Georgetown, the NGO has as its executive director the exuberant Mr. Dmitri Nicholson. Nicholson has been at the helm of the organization for a number of years.While YCG has immense focus on education, entrepreneurship and life skills,Jerseys NFL Wholesale, it has always been particularly focused on health. In fact during the past year the organization in its determined quest to lend its support to the health sector was able to successfully implement a strategic health programme in Region Eight.Nicholson, during an interview, related that while YCG sees the delivery of quality health care as important, he has observed that first aid care could also play a crucial role in helping to arrest the progression of some health issues.? It was against this background, he disclosed that YCG decided to spearhead a first aid training programme.But implementing the programme was not a simple undertaking, given the target location, and limited funding was definitely a major challenge.This, however, did not put a damper on the plans to get the programme underway. In fact it motivated YCG to participate in the Arthur Guinness Fund competition.First aid training in session.The Arthur Guinness Fund is a competition held by the Guinness company Diageo. Diageo’s products are sold in 180 countries and it owns spirits brands like Johnnie Walker, Tanqueray, Smirnoff,Cheap Stitched Jerseys, Red Stripe and Guinness.By completing and submitting a well crafted proposal for its project through Banks DIH, the local liaison company, YCG was able to triumph at the competition and cash in on a US $15,000 grant. The first aid training was well on its way.This saw the NGO reaching out to Amerindians and miners during the past year to improve their first aid skills. And the project indeed proved to be an immense success. According to Nicholson, “one of the things that we encountered is that many people in indigenous communities and mining districts do not have adequate first aid skills to treat minor illnesses to stabilise life-threatening conditions before they reach health services.”But YCG’s health work is certainly not limited to the first aid training which,NFL Jerseys China, according to reports, was well received.In fact its work during the past year saw the implementation of HIV work that reached sex workers and men who have sex with men in Regions One,Wholesale Jerseys From China, Three, Five and Eight. With support from like-minded organizations including: Advancing Partners and Communities, Guyana Trans United and the Caribbean Vulnerable Communities,Wholesale Jerseys Online, YCG was able to centre its work mainly on HIV testing and counseling.“We were able to ensure that we create awareness among the target populations on how to use condoms, and how to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections as well as how to negotiate condom use and even how to reduce violence among their populations,” Nicholson shared.Another key role of YCG has been to produce and distribute posters and other materials with messages that further helped to raise HIV awareness among the tar