EMC Foundation hosts paint mixer to highlight Guyana’s unique biodiversity

The EMC Foundation, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, GTT, and Herdmanston Lodge, hosted a paint mixer on May 21, ahead of Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2023, to raise awareness of Guyana’s rich biodiversity.
Established by Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship, the EMC Foundation aims to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities that encourage a greater understanding of the environment, create a network to connect like-minded people and provide opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.
The paint mixer was a resounding success, with over thirty children between eight and twelve years old from public and private schools in Georgetown participating.
“It is inspiring to see young people so passionate about the environment. Activities like these are a creative way for young people to express themselves and their understanding of the environment. The EMC Foundation will continue working with our partners, the Ministry of Education, GTT, and Herdmanston, to support initiatives that raise awareness and promote a better understanding and appreciation of biodiversity, especially among the younger generation,” Nokta related.
Talented Guyanese artists Kezyah Bola and Ariela Azairehe guided the students in painting vibrant canvases representing Guyana’s rich biodiversity.
The paint mixer also included exciting educational trivia and entertaining games that touched on Guyana’s unique biodiversity, its threats, and how we can work together to mitigate them. In attendance were GTT Chief Commercial Officer, Kerchelle Jn Charles; the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Ye?im Oruç; British High Commissioner, Jane Miller OBE, and the Environmental Protection Agency Executive Director, Kemraj Parsram.
Since its establishment, the EMC Foundation has undertaken several activities to raise environmental awareness among young people.
These include a Scavenger Hunt in the Botanical Gardens, a paint mixer at the Herdmanston Lodge in 2022, and, more recently, the nationally broadcast 2023 Secondary School Environmental Quiz. With more interactive activities like these expected in the coming months, the EMC Foundation hopes to encourage the younger generation to develop greater awareness, appreciation, and love for Guyana’s natural environment.