Having earned the coveted accolade of ANSA-SABGA’s Caribbean Entrepreneur of the year 2018, William Andrew Boyle, known commonly as Andy, has set out to give back to his home village of Kimbia via the I.N.S.P.I.R.E Kimbia Programme.
The Guyana Standard understands that the project is Boyle’s brainchild. The project will officially launch this Sunday, September 1 and is a massive undertaking that his being supported by the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central (of which Boyle is its current president), the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central, the Rotary Clubs of Guyana, and Boyle’s other companies such as Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc, Caribbean Wind and Sun Inc, and Amazonia Farms Inc. As a result of these collaborations, several components of this huge exercise are being brought into fruition. Other entities such as the Department of Youth and Culture, the Government of Guyana, and corporate citizens have also jumped on board.
Among other objectives, the programme seeks to implement an ICT Hub, nurture technological innovation, support access to healthcare, provide back to school supplies, install solar panels, create a new library, and provide sponsorship for top students.
Speaking to the importance of the initiative, Boyle highlighted that Kimbia is a small riverine community located in Region 10, some 80 miles up the Berbice River, with a population of approximately 100 residents. The microbiologist noted that it has remained a relatively underdeveloped community, with no internet, water distribution networks, power lines, and reliable communication media.
He further stated that the community has one health centre, one combined primary and nursery school, and a secondary school that is being reopened. Boyle asserted that residents of the community rely on the Berbice River as their primary source of water for domestic purposes.
The CEO of Eureka Medical Laboratory said, “Two glaring challenges in Kimbia are the lack of youth empowerment programmes and adult life skills programmes. The majority of youth in the community only completed primary school and [they are] forced to work due to limited opportunities. Since the secondary school in Kimbia is inoperable, youths desirous of attending secondary school are required to travel to other communities.”
He added, “Unfortunately, most youths are unable to do so due to the lack of resources – finances, accommodation, and family support. This has contributed to some of the social ills in the community such as drug abuse, drug trafficking, teenage pregnancy, STIs and other health issues. The impacts of such unresolved issues are evident during adulthood, contributing to a broken society.”
It was on that note Boyle confidently concluded that I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Kimbia will address these challenges.
