The Guyana We Need campaign was officially launched through a vibrant and creative youth-led event hosted at Marian Academy. With over 50 participants, including 10 Haitian migrant children, the event celebrated the power of young people to reimagine and reshape Guyana’s environmental future.
This bold campaign is the result of a collaborative effort between Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) and Marian Academy’s Sixth Form Department, marking a significant step toward youth leadership in national environmental advocacy.
Rooted in Education and Youth Voice
The campaign emerged from a series of Social Teachings classes at Marian Academy, facilitated by Mr. Mike McCormack and Ms. Benita Davis. These weekly sessions challenged students to reflect critically on the environmental and social issues facing Guyana — from waste pollution and climate change to social inequality and health — and to develop creative, youth-centered solutions.
At the campaign’s core are seven visionary goals:
- A Climate & Environmentally Resilient Guyana
- A Financially Secure Guyana
- A Guyana of Cohesive Communities
- A Guyana of Vibrant Culture & Languages
- A Fairer Guyana
- A Healthier Guyana
- A Globally Responsible Guyana
A Creative and Inclusive Launch
The launch event brought these goals to life through educational games, interactive presentations, and a Sip & Create session where participants transformed plain T-shirts into bold statements using the hashtag #TheGuyanaWeNeed.
Two of Marian Academy’s Sixth Form students, Ajala Maharaj and Aurelia Ibrahim, played key leadership roles in the success of the launch. Ajala coordinated presentations and worked closely with the facilitators to ensure smooth transitions, while Aurelia helped manage logistics, engage participants, and deliver parts of the campaign message to the audience.
“We want to help shape the Guyana we inherit,” said Ajala Maharaj, Sixth Former at Marian Academy. “This campaign is our chance to say what kind of country we want to live in — and do something about it.”
“This isn’t just a school project,” added Aurelia Ibrahim, also a Sixth Former. “We’re building a movement where every young person can feel empowered to speak up and take action.”
The event also featured a beautiful display of art pieces by the Artísticas Mentes group from St. Winefride’s Secondary School, adding a vibrant and emotional visual element to the day. Local youth-owned businesses such as Crocheted Dream and Arrosa Cutters and Pieces were also showcased, proving that sustainability and innovation can go hand-in-hand.
Our Grateful Thanks to Sponsors
This campaign would not be possible without the support of generous sponsors committed to youth empowerment and national transformation:
- Amazon Limitless
- Hand in Hand
- Mings Products & Services
- Recover Guyana
- SAKS Guyana Inc.
- JARS Zero Waste
- Petama Enterprise
- Health Depot Pharmacy
- Darthan Investments
“We’re really grateful to everyone who supported this idea and helped bring it to life,” said Ajala Maharaj.
A Movement Begins
More than a one-day event, The Guyana We Need is a long-term movement built on civic responsibility, environmental sustainability, and youth leadership. It aims to shift mindsets, spark advocacy, and engage communities across Guyana — especially young people — in shaping a more just, inclusive, and environmentally conscious nation.
