MARK and Robindra Ramnauth, brothers who lived in the neighbourhood of South Georgetown but had the opportunity to live and work abroad, are ready to give back to their community and society via their non-profit organisation, The Butterfly Project.

They never forgot where they came from, and, as a result, after establishing themselves in education and status overseas, they are contributing to youths and others in the very neighbourhoods they once lived in.

Mark founded The Butterfly Project three years ago; however, his brother Robindra is here in Guyana to see the project through, and they will be constructing their own office in the near future.

According to Robindra, they grew up in depressed communities in the city. He remembered clearly, as if it were yesterday, that on September 1, 1979, they were living in Laing Avenue when their house was completely destroyed in a fire.

He came from a single-parent home with nine other siblings. He and his brother Mark, from birth, suffered from a condition—Stargardt’s disease (juvenile macular degeneration)—in which they do not have sight in both eyes.

Robindra added that they relocated to Albouystown, another rough neighbourhood, renting a small one-bedroom  apartment and sharing washroom facilities with others in the yard under dire conditions

He related that the yard had a standpipe, and the situation was unavoidable. To support 10 children was not easy; his mother was a seamstress and also made cakes to sell since their father died when he was just one year old.

Robindra disclosed that they moved to Guyhoc Park, another city ward, and their life improved a bit when his brother had the opportunity to migrate, changing their lives for the better.

Today, his mother lives in Florida, United States of America, and she is 82 years old.

Robindra returned to Guyana three years ago, renting an office in Diamond to facilitate the establishment of The Butterfly Project.

“We don’t give fish to people. We believe in equipping them with the tools to go and catch the fish for themselves. That is our aim with the project—to make people marketable to earn,” he said.

Although The Butterfly Project is 100% funded by his brother Mark, they have a board of directors—five persons—for transparency and accountability, and projects are approved by this body before they are implemented.

Robindra told Pepperpot Magazine that he is here in Guyana to run the affairs of The Butterfly Project as the on-the-ground person, while his brother Mark is based overseas.

Mark Ramnauth

Mark Ramnauth is the driving force behind The Butterfly Project, whose story is nothing short of inspirational as well as humbling.

He recalled growing up as a ‘scheme boy’ in the challenging neighbourhoods of West Ruimveldt, Albouystown, Guyhoc, and Laing Avenue in South Georgetown, Guyana. Mark was the oldest of ten children raised by a single mother.

Despite these hardships, he always felt fortunate and blessed to have the unwavering support of his family, who are close to this day.

Mark’s early years were marked by resilience and determination. He attended St. Pius Primary School. As a child, he faced additional challenges due to his blindness from Stargardt’s disease (juvenile macular degeneration).

But he never let that physical disability hinder him—nor did his brother, Robindra.

Mark later migrated to the USA and pursued higher education with an unyielding spirit. He was fortunate to earn a Master’s Degree from New York University, an achievement he attributes to the collective support of his family and community.

Mark’s career has since been dedicated to helping others, especially those with disabilities, succeed in their endeavours. Being blind has figuratively opened his eyes to the disadvantages faced by people living with disabilities.

Mark pursued professionalism and has ventured into various entrepreneurial pursuits, including building a successful real estate business and owning two hotels in his journey to success.

However, his heart has always been set on giving back to his roots. In 2024, he launched The Butterfly Project—a not-for-profit organisation focused on poverty alleviation, community development, and independent living for people with disabilities in Guyana.

Mark’s commitment to The Butterfly Project is deeply personal. He has invested his own resources to ensure its growth and sustainability. This project is 100% funded by Mark alone.

The project’s launch has been a family affair, with tremendous support from his loved ones. His brother Robindra, now retired, has volunteered to help administer the project’s initiatives in Guyana.

With strong backing from the local community and plans to collaborate with private and public partners, Mark is dedicated to scaling the impact of The Butterfly Project.

His story is a testament to the power of perseverance, the importance of family support, and the belief that everyone—regardless of their beginnings—can make a difference.

Transforming Lives and Building Better Futures

The Butterfly Project is a family-funded, not-for-profit charity in Guyana dedicated to three core goals:

• Poverty alleviation
• Community development
• Promoting independent living for people with disabilities

Through collaboration with organisations, leveraging existing initiatives, and innovating new programmes, we forge a brighter future for underprivileged individuals and communities. Together, we make a significant impact on their lives, paving the way for a more inclusive society.

Mission of The Butterfly Project

The Butterfly Project is dedicated to making a meaningful difference by directly tackling poverty.

The mission is to provide support that not only addresses immediate needs but also lays the groundwork for lasting economic empowerment and self-sufficiency.

By focusing on sustainable solutions, we aim to uplift individuals and communities out of poverty.

The impact of our work is measured by tangible improvements in economic status, increased opportunities for income generation, and the enhanced well-being of the communities we serve. Where possible, we will collaborate with both public and private initiatives to broaden our impact.

Current Initiative

This year, the Butterfly Project launched its very first formal initiative in collaboration with Food for the Poor (FFP).

Together, the two entities established the Youth Enhancement Project (YEP) which aims to build the capacity of 100 youths in the South Georgetown area to identify and take advantage of locally available job and training opportunities. The main objective is to reduce the unemployment rate of youths in the targeted area.

The project involves providing support and training to unemployed, at-risk youths between the ages of 18 and 35 over 12 months.

Youths will be given the opportunity to register for the project and participate in several training activities and support programmes geared towards strengthening their capacities to pursue job and training opportunities.