Josiah Williams

On April 14, 2025, members of the EMC Foundation team proudly attended in the opening ceremony of the 2025 Wildlife Club Festival, hosted by the Iwokrama International Centre for Rain Forest Conservation and Development in collaboration with the North Rupununi District Development Board.

The event, held under the inspiring theme “Innovate, Preserve, and Protect the Future of Culture and Nature,” aimed to make conservation exciting and accessible. It brought together Wildlife Clubs from across the Rupununi and celebrated their creativity and cultural heritage through a lively banner and costume parade, art competitions, cultural dances, poetry, face painting, competitive games, environmental quizzes, and more.

As part of the opening ceremony, EMC Foundation proudly distributed EMC Foundation Boxes to nineteen Wildlife Clubs. These boxes, filled with educational and creative materials, were presented by our Founder and Director, Mr. Shyam Nokta, alongside Her Excellency Ambassador Nicole D. Theriot (U.S. Embassy Guyana), Her Excellency High Commissioner Jane Miller OBE (UK High Commission in Guyana), and Mr. Spiro Polycandriotis van Duynhoven, Head of Political Section at the Delegation of the European Union in Guyana.

In his remarks, Mr. Nokta emphasised the EMC Foundation’s commitment to building partnerships that strengthen environmental education and awareness. He expressed interest in collaborating further with Wildlife Clubs in the Rupununi and shared a vision for the EMC Foundation hosting its own Environmental Club Festival.

The EMC Foundation is committed to inspiring environmental awareness, strengthening community partnerships, and nurturing the next generation of conservation leaders.

Wildlife Clubs During the Costume and Banner Parade

Wildlife Clubs Showcasing their Costumes

Wildlife Clubs Showcasing their Banners

Mr. Shyam Nokta Presenting EMC Foundation Boxes to Wildlife Clubs

Members of the Diplomatic Community Presenting EMC Foundation Boxes to Wildlife Clubs

EMC Foundation boxes

Wildlife Clubs Displaying their STEM Projects

Wildlife Club Members Participating in the Cotton Spinning Competition

---

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.

On March 22, 2025, the EMC Foundation proudly participated in the Water Village Exhibition and Fair, as well as the Earth Hour 2025 Celebrations, hosted by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) at the Guyana National Park. The event, under the overarching theme of “Environmental Conservation,” aimed to raise awareness about the importance of protecting our planet’s resources. The EMC Foundation encouraged attendees to “Give an Hour for Earth” and take part in a variety of interactive activities that promoted water conservation.

The Foundation engaged with visitors of all ages and backgrounds, offering a fun-filled experience while educating them about the significance of conserving water. One of the event’s highlights was the EMC Foundation’s face painting activity, where attendees could have their faces or hands painted with an animal of their choice. As part of the experience, participants learned interesting facts about wildlife and environmental preservation.

In addition, the EMC Foundation provided coloring and activity pages, sparking creativity in children and adults alike. The interactive question-and-answer games allowed visitors to test their knowledge of environmental topics, with winners receiving EMC Foundation publications as prizes.

This event also provided a valuable opportunity for EMC Foundation members to connect with nature enthusiasts, share insights into the Foundation’s ongoing projects, and inspire collective action for environmental conservation.

Face Painting and Environmental Talks at the Booth

Young Visitors Participating in Colouring Activities at the Booth

Young visitors Participating in Maze and Other Activities at the Booth

Visitors Interacting with EMC Foundation Publications at the Booth

Visitors Interacting with the EMC Foundation Selfie Frame at the Booth

---

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.

EMC Foundation, through its E-STEM Program, continues to collaborate with nineteen environmental clubs across the coast of Guyana. These include Queen’s College, The Bishop’s High School, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High, Marian Academy Primary and Secondary, School of the Nations Primary and Secondary, Saxacalli Primary, De Hoop Primary, Little Biaboo Primary, St. Cuthbert’s Primary and Secondary, Moraikobai Primary, Santa Aratak Primary, Wakapau Secondary, Warapoka Primary and Secondary, and Georgetown International Academy.

During March 2025, the primary and secondary environmental clubs focused on Ecosystems and Responsible Waste Management. For the Primary Work Plan, the topics completed were inclusive of Plant Adaptations, Animal Adaptations, and Composting. Club members watched videos, created unique dioramas, prepared presentations and played fun games. For the Secondary Work Plan, the topics completed were inclusive of Animal Identification, Pollution Prevention Techniques and Camera Traps. Club members engaged in classroom discussions, watched videos, engaged in presentations, and participated in clean up campaigns.

The EMC Foundation engaged 89 students in the E-STEM program for March 2025. Activities consisted of discussions, presentations, clean up campaigns in their communities, educational videos and creative projects which all aided in fostering environmental awareness and practical learning.

In March 2025, club members demonstrated strong engagement in their learning activities. They actively took part in identifying and listing various plants and animals within their surroundings, showing enthusiasm and curiosity. Additionally, they contributed thoughtfully to discussions on innovative ways to prevent pollution. These actions reflect their positive attitudes and proactive involvement in the environmental club’s initiatives.

---

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

EMC Foundation, through its E-STEM Program, continues to collaborate with eighteen environmental clubs across the coast of Guyana. These include Queen’s College, The Bishop’s High School, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High, Marian Academy Primary and Secondary, School of the Nations Primary and Secondary, Saxacalli Primary, De Hoop Primary, Little Biaboo Primary, St. Cuthbert’s Primary and Secondary, Moraikobai Primary, Santa Aratak Primary, Wakapau Primary and Secondary and Warapoka Primary.

During February 2025, the primary and secondary environmental clubs focused on Ecosystems and Responsible Waste Management. For the Primary Work Plan, the topics completed were inclusive of Plant Adaptations, Traditional Uses of Plants, and Composting. Club members watched videos, created unique dioramas, prepared presentations and played fun games. For the Secondary Work Plan, the topics completed were inclusive of Animal Adaptations and IUCN and Plant Adaptations. Club members engaged in discussions, watched videos and participated in presentations.

The EMC Foundation engaged 84 students in the E-STEM program for February 2025. Activities consisted of discussions, presentations, and creative projects which all aided in fostering environmental awareness and practical learning.

In February 2025, the club members were fully engaged in their learning experiences. They participated enthusiastically by identifying different types of plants and animals in their environment and listing them, showing active interest in the topic. This highlights the members’ positive attitudes and active involvement in the environmental club activities.

---

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

The EMC Foundation and the Karanambu Trust have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Friday, February 28, 2025, in an innovative move to officially formalize their collaboration on education, awareness, monitoring and conservation actions with focus on Giant River Otters. This partnership will see joint initiatives being developed and implemented to protect Giant River Otters and their habitat through awareness and preservation actions.

This MOU Signing coincides with World Wildlife Day 2025, being observed under the theme “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet” and marks a significant boost in the conservation efforts for Giant River Otters- one of Guyana’s endangered species.

Through this partnership, both non-profit organizations will augment each other’s capabilities and benefit from access to knowledge and expertise, strategic networking, fundraising, and implementation capabilities.

There also exists major potential for boosting environmental awareness through the EMC Foundation’s E-STEM Programme and our 19 Environmental Clubs across Guyana’s coast and the numerous Wildlife Clubs in the Rupununi that the Karanambu Trust supports.

Founder and Director of the EMC Foundation, Mr. Shyam Nokta during the MoU signing expressed his excitement about this partnership. “We are excited to collaborate with you to see how we can bridge this gap between the coast and the hinterland and more so how we can collaborate on raising awareness on Giant River Otters and boosting efforts at the local level- working with communities, school children and with other stakeholders to not just raise awareness but to influence conservation actions.”

Project Coordinator of the Karanambu Trust, Ms. Melanie McTurk, also shared similar sentiments. “Our reputation as the pioneers of Giant Otter research and conservation in Guyana but of course our work has expanded beyond that.  We also do a lot of work with communities and especially in the community tourism sphere… So, we are very excited to be partnering with you and be able to hopefully to take that influence beyond the realms of the Rupununi.”

About the EMC Foundation

EMC Foundation was established by 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 that encourage a greater understanding of the environment, creating a network to connect like-minded people, and providing opportunities to experience Guyana’s rich natural environment.

For more information, please visit https://www.emcfoundation.gy 

About the Karanambu Trust

The Karanambu Trust is one of Guyana’s first private protected area that has spearheaded Giant River Otter conservation since its establishment in 1996 and has been managed by the McTurk Family for almost 100 years.

For more information, please visit https://karanambu.gy/

EMC Foundation’s Director, Shyam Nokta and Karanambu Trust’s Project Coordinator, Melanie McTurk signing the MoU

EMC Foundation’s Director, Shyam Nokta and Karanambu Trust’s Project Coordinator, Melanie McTurk discussing future collaborations

EMC Foundation’s Director, Shyam Nokta, EMC Foundation’s Project Coordinator Sarah Singh and Karanambu Trust’s Project Coordinator, Melanie McTurk examining one of EMC Foundation’s many publications

---

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.

EMC Foundation, through its E-STEM Program, continues to collaborate with eighteen environmental clubs across the coast of Guyana. These include Queen’s College, The Bishop’s High School, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s High, Marian Academy Primary and Secondary, School of the Nations Primary and Secondary, Saxacalli Primary, De Hoop Primary, Little Biaboo Primary, St. Cuthbert’s Primary and Secondary, Moraikobai Primary, Santa Aratak Primary, Wakapau Primary and Secondary and Warapoka Primary.

The topic for Term 1, which continued in January 2025, for both primary and secondary schools was Ecosystems. In the first week of January 2025, the club coordinators conducted a recap session, which served as a refresher.

For the Primary Schools, during January 2025 the topics included Drones, Maps and Compasses, Global Positioning System, Plant Identification, Plant Adaptations, and Animal Identification. The club members participated in class discussions, nature walks, watching videos based on the topic, and creating dioramas and diagrams.

For the Secondary Schools, during January 2025, the topics included Biodiversity, Interdependence and Relationships, and Plant Adaptations and Traditional Uses. The club members participated in class discussions, making plans for the club, and creating posters.

During January 2025 club members from schools across the coast were engaged in a plethora of activities where they explored new topics and were given inspiration how to better care for the environment. The topics “Drones, Maps and Camera Traps” and “Global Position Systems” particularly interested the club members from the Primary Schools, whereas the topics “Plant Adaptations and Traditional Uses” interested the club members from the secondary schools. They expressed enthusiasm to undertaken additional topics related to the environment.

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.