
The Iwokrama International Centre has received 11 smartphones from the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to support its STEM activities under the Wildlife Clubs Programme.
The programme, which operates across 17 communities in the North Rupununi, engages around 400 children aged 4 to 17. It introduces youth to land management, conservation, public speaking, STEM robotics, and biodiversity awareness, a release said.
The Wildlife Clubs Programme is part of Iwokrama’s broader conservation leadership initiative, which prepares young people to take on leadership roles at community and national levels.
CEO Dane Gobin said: “We are very grateful for this most useful support from CARDI. It will be put to good use in building capacity among hinterland youth, especially to support our Community Monitoring Reporting and Verification (CMRV) work which feeds into the national MRV.”
Mitchroy Thom, CARDI Officer-in-Charge, said: “On behalf of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, it is my pleasure to participate in this meaningful handover of eleven cellular devices to our wildlife partners. At CARDI, we recognise that protecting agriculture and protecting wildlife go hand in hand. These devices will strengthen communication, improve data collection, and support timely reporting from the field—each of which is critical to informed decision-making and sustainable resource management.
We look forward to continued partnership as we work together to promote resilient ecosystems, sustainable agriculture, and a healthier Caribbean for future generations.”
Iwokrama also thanked the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) for its ongoing support, and the ExxonMobil Foundation for its significant backing of the programme over the past four years.










