By Faith Greene
Fuelled by a deep passion for community development and social change, 25-year-old Social Worker Marissa Foster, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Chevening Scholarship.
Foster, who serves at the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, will pursue a Master of Arts in Peace, Resilience, and Social Justice at the University of Bradford in the United Kingdom. The year-long programme will equip her with knowledge and skills she hopes to bring back to Guyana to further her work in social justice and women’s empowerment.

A native of Berbice, Foster holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Guyana. In addition to her professional role, she pens the “Youth Perspective” column in the Guyana Chronicle and is actively engaged in community development. She also volunteers with the Guyana Responsible Parenthood Association (GRPA), facilitating educational sessions in schools across Berbice.

Her inspiration, she said, stems from her upbringing in a family rooted in community leadership—her father and uncle both lead non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Berbice.
“My passion for community development started from a very young age, and I just grew into it. But I’m taking my own path now. That’s why I’m pursuing this Master’s degree in the UK, so that I can come back home and start my own NGO tailored towards women,” Foster shared.

She has already begun laying the groundwork for her dream, managing an online group that hosts webinars and training sessions. Upon her return, she plans to formally register her NGO and take up the role of Operations Lead, with the aim of collaborating with the Ministry of Human Services and other partners.

Foster noted that she has been inspired by the work of Chevening alumni, many of whom returned to Guyana with enriched perspectives and innovative ideas. “I want to have this world-class education and to come back home and use it in my community. That is basically why I applied,” she explained.

In addition to her studies, Foster plans to conduct outreach in rural Berbice and other communities to raise awareness about the Chevening programme, noting that many are still unfamiliar with its opportunities.

Looking ahead to her time in the UK, she expressed excitement about immersing herself in new experiences and learning from distinguished professors at the University of Bradford. “I want to have those conversations with them, to perhaps collaborate on future research in Guyana as well,” she said.

Foster’s journey reflects her determination to combine academic excellence with grassroots activism, with a clear vision to transform her passion for service into sustainable initiatives that empower women and communities in Guyana.