The Sophia project was an ambitious programme of vocational and computer literacy training targeted at the youth in Sophia, Georgetown.  Sophia is a disadvantaged area of former squatters with poor economic prospects.  Many young people have not completed their education and have poor job prospects.

The project was run by a vibrant youth organisation and started well in 2008.  Attendance by students was strong and enthusiastic and progress good in the teaching of computer, hairdressing and other skills.

However the project manager and her organisation were then beset by a number of personnel and political problems.   These eventually overwhelmed the project.

It is both deeply disappointing and ironic that a project established to hone political skills should be brought down by them.   Reinforcement, if ever it was needed, of the importance of the Roraima Fund’s purpose and the length of the road still to be travelled.