How education, healthcare and service shaped an entrepreneur’s journey

DAVENDRA Rampersaud is living testimony that hard work, sacrifice and dedication prove that giving up is not an option, and that consistency pays off, no matter how long it takes to accomplish goals and make dreams a reality.

His journey began with an opportunity combined with determination. The entrepreneur, microbiologist and community advocate defied the odds of growing up in a riverine village where there wasn’t much to do.

Rampersaud’s journey began in the quiet farming community of Bonasika Creek, Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), where life was simple, resources were limited and success was never taken for granted.

Growing up in a farming family shaped much of who Rampersaud would become. His parents worked hard to provide for their family and instilled the values of discipline, humility, honesty, perseverance and respect for others.

Those lessons became the foundation of both his personal life and business philosophy.

At age nine, his family relocated to Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara, where he attended Zeeburg Secondary School before studying Laboratory Sciences at the University of Guyana (UG), specialising in Microbiology.

He credits education as the turning point in his life.

After graduation, he worked as a Medical Technologist and later in quality management at Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and St. Joseph Mercy Hospital.

His career expanded to Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, where he managed diagnostic facilities, including the Rima Diagnostic Clinic, before becoming a Caribbean Sales Manager serving healthcare institutions throughout the region.

In 2011, he returned to Guyana to build businesses that strengthen healthcare, create employment and expand regional trade.

Today, he leads Caribbean Medical Supplies Inc., DADAS Group of Companies, and affiliated regional operations that serve customers across nine Caribbean countries.

Professionally, Rampersaud is a microbiologist by training and a healthcare entrepreneur.

Personally, he describes himself first as a husband, father and lifelong learner.

Outside of business, he invests his time in mentoring staff, supporting community initiatives, spending time with family and developing projects that create long-term social impact.

What motivates him to volunteer is deeply personal. Remembering his own humble beginnings, he believes many people simply need someone to encourage them or create an opportunity.

Because education transformed his own life, he feels a responsibility to help open similar doors for others.

For more than a decade, he has quietly supported children’s homes, schools and community organisations through educational support, mentoring, feeding programmes and personal development initiatives, all behind the scenes.

His work with Save R Kids Children’s Home reflects his commitment to helping children believe in their own potential.

He has partnered with the Vergenoegen Community Development Council and other organisations on elderly appreciation programmes, environmental clean-up campaigns, tree planting, youth football competitions, motivational speaking, educational awards, and neighbourhood development projects.

Through DADAS Grill and his wider business network, he has also supported community feeding initiatives and assistance to families.

Family remains central to everything he does. He believes the greatest legacy he can leave is not only successful businesses but children who understand integrity, compassion and service.

He intentionally involves his family in community initiatives because he believes leadership is measured by the lives we improve.

Reflecting on his journey, he says: “Bonasika Creek gave me humility. Education gave me opportunity. Healthcare gave me purpose. Entrepreneurship gave me a platform. Service gives it all meaning.”

For Rampersaud, success is measured not only by businesses built, but by opportunities created for others and stronger communities left behind.

This volunteer has been actively involved in recognising academic excellence among young students, supporting youth through football and mentorship, partnering with community organisations to strengthen Region Three, providing long-standing support for children’s homes through education and mentorship, serving the elderly through community outreach, and leading environmental clean-up and tree-planting initiatives.

His name is synonymous with giving back to society through volunteerism, community-based activities and human capacity building.