Recover Guyana in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and ExxonMobil Guyana officially launched the Skeldon Line Path Secondary School EcoHub Project. The project, valued at GY$1,000,000 is a direct result of the 2026 edition of SHOUT, Guyana’s national youth environmental speech competition. The project, envisioned by winner, Randy Mangal, a fifth former, has transformed a section of his school into a cleaner, more sustainable space through the installation of a solar-powered charging hub, outdoor furniture built from recycled materials, and a hanging garden combining decorative and edible plants.
The speech competition, now in its fourth year, dubbed SHOUT4Change, challenged secondary school students across the country to design practical, STEM-based solutions to environmental issues at their schools by answering a single question: “What sustainable changes would you make to your school’s environment should you be given one million dollars to do so?” More than 70 submissions were received, from which 20 national finalists were selected to advance.
In the initial phase Mangal proposed a project to addresses waste management and environmental neglect at his school through beautification and maintenance, and using upcycling and sustainable materials. At its centre, he proposed a sitting and relaxation space furnished with outdoor seating made from recycled tyres and other repurposed materials, shaded by decorative plants and a hanging garden of both decorative and edible species. The solar-powered charging hub was later added to the design to give students and staff a sustainable source of power on campus. After emerging victorious from the subsequent three phases of the competition, he was able to see his project to fruition.
Dr. Omesh Balmacoon, First Vice President and Co-Founder of Recover Guyana, in his remarks noted that the launch reflected the organization’s commitment to turning students’ environmental ideas into lasting, tangible change. “SHOUT was never just about a speech or a competition day, it was about giving our youth the resources and the platform to actually fix what they see wrong in their own school environment,” Dr. Balmacoon said. “Randy identified real problems at Skeldon Line Path, waste, neglect, a lack of green and functional spaces, and saw practical, sustainable solutions to them. We are proud to now be putting that vision into the ground.”
Lasawhna Prescott, Community Relations Advisor noted that ExxonMobil Guyana places a strong emphasis on STEM education because it is fundamentally about problem solving. She said, “This is why we are proud to support initiatives that empower young people to think creatively and take action in their communities.” “It is also why ExxonMobil Guyana continued our partnership with Recover Guyana and is proud to sponsor the SHOUT Competition for the third consecutive year,” she went on.
Delivering remarks at the launch was Regional Executive Officer of Region 6, Mr. Ronald Harsawack. He added “This project is more than just a project, it’s a vision and an urge to do more about a growing issue. That’s why we’re here today, to see that more is possible, at sustainable costs, with the right vision and drive.”
SHOUT was first held in 2023, when Vasanna Persaud of Queen’s College was named national winner and went on to launch a water purification project at her school to combat plastic bottle waste. Subsequent winners Gabriella Arjun and Anushka Singh, both of Queen’s College, launched a hydroponics kitchen garden and a cycle-smart initiative, respectively. Mangal’s solar and upcycling project at Skeldon Line Path Secondary School becomes the latest in this growing line of youth-led environmental initiatives to take root in Guyanese schools.
This year’s competition was also supported by One Communications, Scotiabank Guyana Inc., Flawless Dental GY, Ramada Georgetown Princess Hotel, GuyOil, Massy Stores Guyana, Pixel Perfect Productions, SEVA Marketing Inc., ELEVATE, and Anthony Indar Photography.
SHOUT 2027 is set to launch in February 2027, marking the final edition of Guyana’s National Youth Environmental Speech Competition.
