Ms. Casimero, 16, hails from Aishalton, South Rupununi. She was awarded a scholarship to study physiotherapy. According to the former North Georgetown Secondary School student, she has accepted the challenge because she sees the need for qualified medical practitioners in her home community.

"I see a great need for this in my village. People need help and there aren't a lot of people to help them," she said.

Since she left her community in 1997 to take up a secondary school hinterland scholarship offered by the Government, she has had the welfare of Amerindians at heart.

Having completed her secondary education in 2002, it was time for the teenager to render financial assistance to her parents who had provided all the necessary support during her five-year stint in Georgetown.

She went back to her community where she offered her assistance at the Aishalton Hospital. Her experience was remarkable. At her age, she has already managed deliveries, while working along with the Rural Areas Medicine(RAM's) doctors. She also has a practical grasp of the primary health care services, which she offered while at the local hospital.

The RAMS Doctors are a group of overseas-based doctors offering veterinarian, surgical and other services in remote areas of Guyana.

Personal upliftment is very important to her. Earlier this year, Renita applied to the Guyana School of Nursing to undertake a professional nursing programme. Because the application was channeled through the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, her application was further considered and later approved for a Cuban scholarship.

Now that the opportunity has arisen, the youth remains committed to returning to serve her community and her country.

Amerindian Affairs Minister Carolyn Rodrigues said that there has been a positive feed back from Cuba that the four hinterland students are "doing extremely well."

Among the subject areas the hinterland students are studying are Computer Engineering, Medicine, Automation Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Agronomy.

Government is committed to ensuring that hinterland students are equally represented in its selection of scholarship awardees for Cuba so that they could return and serve their communities.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs is hoping to have an increased number of hinterland students take up scholarships in Cuba from this year. However, so far, only three have been confirmed.

Having come from the hinterland, and being unaccustomed to some of the basic facilities available in Georgetown, Renita said she had to adjust quickly to get on with her studies. "Leaving home was very difficult, different, strange. Things were new now," she said.

Her performance was at an average level "60 per cent and over." This contributed to her passes in five subjects at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC): Biology, Geography and Agricultural Science - Grade Two, Maths - Grade Three and English Language - Grade One.

The teen attributed her opportunities and successes to her parents, who she described as "very understanding."

"What mommy can do daddy can't do. I get advice mostly from daddy and I can lean on mommy for comfort. But I depend on both of them," Renita said.

The hinterland student is grateful for the opportunity granted her so that she is not placed at risk like the other young people in her community of being trapped in drugs, and teenage pregnancy.

While these are not very prevalent, they are present in her community and have to be dealt with. She feels that most of these social problems arise because of the lack of information on the issues and because of the limited career opportunities in the hinterland community.

Like most hinterland communities, school-leavers scurry for job opportunities in the health sector or the teaching profession. In Aishalton, some persons rush off to the Marudi Mining camps or seek job opportunities in Brazil, according to Ms. Casimero.

Having been brought up in a religious Catholic family, Renita said she was well disciplined from a tender age, and as such, she has always had a focus on her future and attended church masses every Sunday.

She describes herself as quiet, and in her leisure time, she enjoys reading, swimming and helping people, especially sick people. If she were at home, she would assist her parents in the farm or go fishing.

Things changed for her when she came to the city six years ago. Renita was placed in the care of guardians. For the first few years, things were smooth, but after a while a few difficulties were encountered. As a teenager, Renita encountered many challenges. "We are not all perfect. I slipped up a few times," she admitted.

As a result, the schoolgirl at the time, swapped four different guardians. Nevertheless, she managed to successfully complete her secondary education.

Her advice to young people, especially students of the hinterland including her younger brother and sister, is to "continue your studies, aim higher, follow your dreams, and you could do it. Always ask for advice, say a daily prayer and make a little sacrifice."

Renita is the eldest of three children. She comes from a mixed Macusi and Wapishana family background. She is anxious to go home to spend the last few months with her family, before departing for Cuba in September.

The Ministry of Amerindian Affairs has assisted her in obtaining her passport and her medical certificate, for which she is grateful.