Guyana
Lyndon Hedley practices his computer skills in a class at the Sisters of Mercy Mecry Wings Vocational Training Center in the Guyanese capital. Photo by Rick D'Elia for CRS
Guyana, the only English-speaking country in South America, is also its third smallest country. Today, Guyana has a population of almost 742,000 with a majority of East Indian (50 percent) and African (36 percent) descent. Unemployment is high, and Guyana has the highest rate of brain drain in the world (89 percent) as well as the fourth highest adult prevalence of HIV and AIDS (1.5 percent) in the region, and the life expectancy is only 63 years.
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Stats
| Population: | 741,908 (July 2012 est.) |
| Size: | 83,000 sq. mi.; slightly smaller than Idaho |
| People Served: | 14,551 (2012 est.) |
History
In 2003, Catholic Relief Services placed a staff person in Guyana to manage the now completed AIDSRelief project. CRS has partnered with the Diocese of Guyana and other Church and non-Church partners, primarily on HIV and AIDS programs, civil society projects, emergency response and capacity building for the diocese. To date, activities have focused primarily in Georgetown, Berbice and Bartica, with some activities with the Jesuits in the hinterlands near the border with Brazil.
Programs
EducationHIV and AIDS
Peacebuilding