On June 19, 2025, the EMC Foundation proudly presented over 1,000 flash drives containing the Arya Takes a Swim Audio Series and Audiobook to Mr. Marti DeSouza, Deputy Chief Education Officer (Amerindian and Hinterland Education Development) at the Ministry of Education. This meaningful initiative supports the integration of environmental conservation into Guyana’s school curriculum while promoting the preservation and revitalisation of Indigenous languages.
Each flash drive contains the Arya Takes a Swim Audio Series and Audiobook in both English and Arawak. The content is designed to raise awareness about sea turtle conservation among students and communities, while celebrating linguistic and cultural heritage. Inspired by the real-life Turtle Telemetry Program at Shell Beach, Arya Takes a Swim follows the journey of Arya, a green sea turtle. Brought to life through immersive narration by Guyanese voices from St. Cuthbert’s Mission, Wakapau, and Georgetown, and enhanced with rich sound design, the story is crafted to captivate young listeners and their families.
The Ministry of Education will distribute the flash drives to all nursery, primary, and secondary schools across Guyana, ensuring students in every region have access to this engaging environmental education resource.
As part of the handover, Mr. DeSouza also received a special EMC Foundation box containing printed copies of Arya Takes a Swim, its Arawak version – Arya Anuka Aba Chimahi, and the Foundation’s latest publication, Ollie the Otter’s River Adventures.
During the presentation, EMC Foundation Founder and Director, Mr. Shyam Nokta, highlighted the project’s success in connecting children with marine conservation and the importance of storytelling in education. He noted that the translation of Arya Takes a Swim into Arawak expands its accessibility and announced plans to adapt the story into other Indigenous languages across Guyana.
Mr. DeSouza praised the initiative as a beautiful and innovative way of preserving the languages and arousing interest in Indigenous language, and expressed his commitment to supporting the continued expansion of the project.
The Arya Takes a Swim Audio Series and Audiobook project was implemented by the EMC Foundation with support from the Blue Social Challenge Fund Pilot, part of the UK’s Sustainable Blue Economy Programme. It is part of the EMC Foundation’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness and foster a collective commitment to marine turtle conservation in Guyana. These collaborations mark another important step in the EMC Foundation’s mission to empower communities through environmental education, cultural preservation, and meaningful partnerships.
Mr. Shyam Nokta Presenting an EMC Foundation Box to Mr. Marti DeSouza
Mr. Marti DeSouza Reviewing ‘Arya Takes a Swim’
Mr. Marti DeSouza with English and Arawak Versions of ‘Arya Takes a Swim’
Mr. Marti DeSouza and the EMC Foundation Team Viewing the ‘Behind the Scenes’ Video on the Audiobook Production
The EMC Foundation was established by Mr. Shyam Nokta, winner of the 2022 Anthony N Sabga Award for Entrepreneurship. The Foundation works to support environmental awareness and education in Guyana by promoting activities which encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded persons, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.