RECOVER Guyana, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), has launched the Water Purification and Sustainability Initiative at the West Demerara Secondary School (WDSS) in observance of World Water Day 2025.
Though World Water Day was officially observed on March 22, the initiative was launched on Monday to enhance the school’s environmental sustainability and ensure access to safe drinking water for students and staff.
Recover Guyana first introduced its “Shout” initiative in March 2023, in partnership with the MoE, to empower secondary school students in environmental advocacy through public speaking, research, and awareness campaigns. Queen’s College student Vasanna Persaud emerged as a competition winner, leading to the launch of a school-based water-purification project aimed at reducing plastic-bottle waste and promoting sustainable hydration.

West Demerara Secondary School is now the second institution in Guyana—and the first in Region Three—to implement this initiative. In 2024, the project prevented over 30,000 plastic bottles from reaching landfills.
Founder and President of Recover Guyana, Dr. Dave Lalltoo, hailed the initiative as a groundbreaking effort that showcases the impact of collaboration, innovation, and purpose-driven development.
“This initiative is not only timely but transformational,” Dr. Lalltoo stated. “It aligns with and advances several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Goal 3—Good Health and Well-Being, Goal 6—Clean Water and Sanitation, and Goal 13—Climate Action.”
He further emphasised that access to clean drinking water is a fundamental human right, essential for students’ physical and cognitive development.

“This project is part of a wider initiative by Recover Guyana and aligns seamlessly with the core pillars of the Greater Guyana Initiative: education, training, economic development, and health,” he added.
Beyond providing clean drinking water, the system has been designed to support education. The reverse osmosis and ultraviolet filtration processes will be integrated into the WDSS science curriculum, offering students a hands-on learning experience. Additionally, the school’s environmental club will oversee aspects of the system’s operation and maintenance, fostering leadership and environmental stewardship among students.

Recover Guyana also prioritised local employment by engaging carpenters, masons, and welders in the construction of the purification system’s housing, using locally sourced materials.
Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) for Secondary Schools, Sherwyn Blackman, reaffirmed the Ministry of Education’s commitment to supporting the “Shout” initiative.
“The Ministry of Education is always happy, pleased, and excited to be part of greatness,” Blackman said. He encouraged teachers at WDSS to ensure students fully understand the system’s functionality and to maximise its benefits.

The water-purification project is expected to generate substantial cost savings. WDSS is projected to save approximately $55,000 per week by eliminating the need for bottled water, amounting to over $2.8 million annually. Furthermore, the school’s plastic bottle consumption is set to decrease by more than 35,000 bottles each year, with an estimated reduction of 175,000 bottles by 2030. This effort directly supports Guyana’s Low Carbon Development Strategy and the global SDG 13—Climate Action.
The Water Purification and Sustainability Initiative stands as a testament to the power of youth-driven environmental advocacy and the collective commitment to sustainable development in Guyana.