EMC Foundation fosters awareness of Guyana’s unique ecosystems

To raise awareness of Guyana’s unique ecosystems and the vital role they play in supporting biodiversity, the EMC Foundation has created an avenue for the younger generation to understand the environment.
Established by Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship, the Foundation aims to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage greater understanding of the environment, create a network to connect like-minded people, and provide opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.

A paint-mixer was recently organised to this effect, and it resulted in resounding success. In his comments, Nokta said, “A picture paints a thousand words. Creative activities like painting inspire young people to reflect on their ideas and understanding of the environment, and express them in unique ways. The colourful images are fun to create, and convey powerful messages that encourage a greater awareness, appreciation, and love for Guyana’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and motivate the younger generation to protect them.”
More than thirty children between eight and twelve years old were guided through marine and terrestrial themes by talented Guyanese artists.
Zoya Samaroo, an artist and one of the Foundation’s coordinators, knows how art can create a lasting impact on young minds.
According to Samaroo, “One of EMC Foundation’s main goals is to connect young, creative minds while highlighting the importance of the environment. As an art enthusiast myself, I can think of no better way to get engaged than by getting your hands a little messy with vibrant colours while learning about the beauty of our natural world.”
Executive Director of the Environmental Protection Agency, Kemraj Parsram, has been encouraged by the interactions with the young participants. He had this to say: “With increased development and the impacts that come with it, it is important that we continue educating the younger generation and bringing them up to become the future custodians of Guyana’s environment.”
The focus of the Foundation is to provide opportunities, especially for young people, to interact with nature and the environment, so that they can develop greater awareness, appreciation, and love for Guyana’s ecosystems and biodiversity. The turnout at the paint-mixer demonstrated how eager the younger generation is to contribute to efforts to protect them.
“It is important to invest in children’s creative capacities. They are the generation for whom Guyana is conserving its nature…It is wonderful to see them learning and being creative about the environment,” said Yesim Oruç, the United Nations Resident Coordinator to Guyana.
Public Service Minister Sonia Parag added, “To involve children in environmental protection is commendable and necessary, because they will be the leaders in a few years. They will be the ones who push to protect our earth.”
The paint-mixer follows the EMC Foundation’s scavenger hunt that was held on August 26 to raise awareness of the environment; it saw more than forty young people converge at the Botanical Gardens.
More environmentally-themed events are expected in the coming months.