‘Lil Red Community Centre’ Commissioned Through Partnership with Food for the Poor Inc. and SBM Offshore Guyana

• New community center enhances access to skills training and recreational spaces
• Project reflects ongoing collaboration among SBM Offshore Guyana and Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc.

Residents of Little Red Village now have access to a new community hub following the official commissioning of the ‘Lil Red Community Centre’ on Thursday, November 27. The facility was constructed by Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. through a grant provided by SBM Offshore Guyana and handed over to the community of Onderneeming with the Community Development Council (CDC) overseeing. In August 2024, the partners turned the sod to begin construction, marking the start of the project that has now reached completion.

Ahead of the commissioning, representatives from Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc. and SBM Offshore Guyana met with the CDC and its management sub-committee to review the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), ensuring that all parties were aligned on the roles, responsibilities and long-term management of the new facility. This session reaffirmed the collaborative approach that has guided the project from inception to completion.

The center represents a major step forward for community development in the area, providing a dedicated and accessible space for recreation, youth programs, skills training, meetings and cultural activities. Designed to support long-term social upliftment, the project reflects the shared commitment among the partners to invest in the well-being and future of the Little Red community.

The commissioning ceremony brought together representatives from SBM Offshore Guyana, Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc., the CDC, regional officials, students and residents. The program featured remarks from partner representatives and cultural performances from students of the Onderneeming Primary School.

During the ceremony, SBM Offshore Guyana reaffirmed its commitment to supporting community-driven initiatives that create meaningful impact.

General Manager, Martin Cheong in his remarks said, “SBM Offshore Guyana is pleased to support communities across Guyana through a range of capacity-building program, from technical training and scholarships to STEM and community resilience projects. This center is another example of our commitment to helping build a stronger and more skilled Guyana.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Food for the Poor (Guyana) Inc., Andrea Benjamin, noted that the Little Red village itself stands as one of the largest communities ever established by the organization, having initially built over 100 homes about sixteen years ago, and highlighted the importance of the new center in creating safe spaces for youth development, capacity building and community engagement. She said, “This building represents more than just infrastructure, it represents opportunity, growth and empowerment.”

Both the Chairman of the Community Development Council, Kevin Lowe, and the Assistant Regional Education Officer, Yvette Tafares, also echoed these sentiments while expressing gratitude for the partnership that made the project possible as well as the opportunities they bring. 

Alongside a ribbon cutting and unveiling of the project plaque, the MoU was formally signed, signaling the handover of the completed facility to the CDC for ongoing management and use. An Education and Capacity-Building Agreement was also signed to ensure that the capacity building initiatives are also regularly carried out at the center, maximizing use of the facility. Stakeholders also toured the building and viewed the new space that will soon accommodate a range of community activities. The ‘Lil Red Community Centre’ now stands as a symbol of partnership, progress and shared commitment to strengthening communities on the Essequibo Coast.