ROLE models for the young are invariably those in the media: tabloid, film and TV celebrities. But it is the young people who evolved their challenger mindset from an early age, fostered in the home, or at school, and throughout their university lives, who can change society or the fortunes of a country for the better, are those who should truly be acknowledged. Here is one of these revolutionary young Guyanese high achievers whose inspirational life and considerable accomplishments are not yet well known in his homeland, because since 2013, this proud native of Guyana has been conquering challenges and attaining great successes in the Russian port city of Yakutsk.

John Llewelyn Anderson hails from Goed Fortuin, a small village located on the West Bank of Demerara just two miles south of Vreed-en-hoop and so named by the Dutch during the colonial days.

Incidentally, he lived just opposite the Goed Fortuin Primary School which he first attended to obtain his elementary education. Upon the successful completion of the National Grade Six Assessment, he gained a place at the West Demerara Secondary, where again he was a high achiever, eventually obtaining 11 Grade One passes at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC), thereby topping his school.
Anderson then attended ‘Nations’ School Inc, a leading education provider in Guyana after its Principal Dr Brian O’Toole, impressed with his academic credentials, awarded him a scholarship and he pursued studies in an accelerated pre-law programme.
But it was when he was 18 years old that his tertiary academic journey took off when he was granted a Russian University scholarship to the coldest city on earth, Yakutsk, the capital of Sakha Republic (Yakutia), in the far north-eastern part of Russia, on the Lena River, where he attended the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, obtaining a Bachelor of Sciences Degree summa cum laude in World Economics. At the same time he also successfully read for a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Northern Studies from the University of Tromso in Tromso, Norway, becoming a dual degree holder with high distinction.

Young Anderson was then awarded another Russian University scholarship to undertake post-graduate studies, reading for a Master of Science Degree in International Business, again at the M.K. Ammosov North-Eastern Federal University, which he successfully obtained after graduating magna cum laude in 2019.

OUTSTANDING SCHOLAR
Still not finished in his meritorious tertiary achievements, he is now the first Guyanese to have been awarded a third Russian scholarship at this university, this time to read for a Doctor of Philosophy [PhD] in Geology, Exploration and Development of Minerals at the university.
John, who fluently speaks four languages: English, Russian, Chinese [Mandarin] and Sakha, during his time in Yakutsk, served as the President of Nefu International [The International Organisation of the North-Eastern Federal University where he was responsible for protecting the interests of foreigners studying and working at the university, assisting, advising and representing them in matters of common welfare and concern.
He also served as an intern at AEB IT LLC, an IT outsourcing company, worked as a financial analyst for the KFENIYA Private Limited Company, a software production company and as an oil-and-gas researcher with the Russian Academy of Sciences.
Factors that probably contributed to his drive and focus may include his background of very modest means; an education of strict discipline resulting in top grades; the value of his goals and respect of the elders in his family, including his two grandmothers, Doreen Etwaroo and Norma Anderson.
He also has a strong sense of belonging to the Goed Fortuin community.
Unlike many Guyanese scholars who relinquish their sense of patriotism to home and country to pledge allegiance to foreign nations, usually spending decades utilising their expertise in the development and progress of European, North American and Asian continents and other countries around the world, while Guyana sits bereft of human capital, Anderson is different.
He is a dynamic, self-confident young man with ideas, creativity and great energy to shape a better Guyana, has rejected a number of career opportunities that were offered to him in Singapore and elsewhere, in order to return home very soon to make available and utilise his great potential, in service to his beloved country, Guyana.

HOT BED
With Guyana becoming a hotbed for oil-and-gas production, Anderson is full of hope that through innovation and imagination, that he can be a problem-solver to the government and help to see the great potential of oil and gas generate a positive change in Guyana.
Lots of people have opinions about what it takes to be happy and successful, including being rich and powerful, but for Anderson, he is more concerned about relationships, well-being, societal impact in his country and personal fulfilment.
As someone who stands firm in his allegiance to God, he believes that life is a blessing from God and he is the one who deserves all the praises.
His mother Savitry and father Patrick Anderson are happy that their eldest child could have made this journey on his own for the first time to this distant land and achieve such success. They are particularly pleased with his intention to return to serve his homeland and the people of Guyana.