eonard Ryan Hoppie founded Come Alive Network Inc. (CANI) in Guyana to help marginalised young people who felt excluded from civil society, especially 100 children at a local government run home. Workshops have covered various personal and civic development topics, plus 200 hours of literacy and hygiene classes, sporting events and musical concerts. Inspired by One Young World, Ryan ran the first annual youth conference in Guyana, for over 300 people. Registration cost 2,000 GYD ($9.70).
CANI holds an annual shoe drive, to distribute shoes and backpacks to children who cannot attend school due to a lack of adequate equipment. Last year, 400 children in six communities received shoes, and school attendance increased, whilst parents saved money on school equipment. Children’s shoes in Guyana cost 3,450 GYD ($16.60) a pair. CANI received various donations: Phimopra donated 200 pairs of shoes worth 506,025 GYD ($3,053), Shoe Source donated 40 pairs of shoes worth 101,142 GYD ($488) and the Wish Group, New York gave 150 backpacks with stationery worth $15–20 each (average value $17.50).
The Develop Yourself Programme for 16 to 25-year-olds offers 12 hours of education on self-awareness economic, political and social themes to 30 children. The workshops vary from classroom lessons to working with underprivileged children. Two participants have since set up their own cake-baking business.