WELL-KNOWN life coach, Sharmin Prince, has embarked on a new project with the launching of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), ‘Eagles Empowered to Soar, Guyana’, which seeks to provide group counselling and positive self-development.

Additionally, Prince launched another arm of the self-development programme to render some form of relief to vulnerable individuals who are not fortunate to have a formal shelter during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

During an exclusive interview with the Guyana Chronicle, Prince disclosed that the project will be more than just a group of volunteers sharing food to the homeless and needy as she intends to extend her works further to address several other pressing issues in Guyana relating to the homeless population.

Having 19 years of experience in social services working in the United States, Prince said, “With this background, I have a wealth of experience, exposure and knowledge about social service/human services. I know of policies, funding, budgeting, regulations, day to day management, importance of community collaboration and building from the ground up. Therefore, I am highly ambitious, and my goal is to collaborate with investors and funders to open the first specialized Single Room Occupancy (SRO)for homeless men and one for women,” she said.

Prince added that she intends to help persons overcome the trauma of poverty, reconnect with their dreams and be re-integrated into society.

“I would like to approach the government with a subsidising housing plan for low-income individuals in our programmes. Guyana also needs substance-abuse treatment centres. However, what I have in mind is non-traditional,” she said.
The humanitarian disclosed that she also intends to work closely with women who would have suffered or gone through some form of trauma since she believes that, “When women are healed, the homes become healthy and so communities are less fractured and the society reaps the benefits.”

Prince related that she had always had the initiative to launch a self-discovery programme as well as a relief project in the back of her mind for some time. However, the initiative came to life after she was stuck in Guyana and was unable to return to the USA where she resides, due to the partial lockdown.

“Then, the shutdown occurred and I was unable to return to the US. To avoid psychological and social decline, I created “The Self – Discovery (SD) Journey” which combined my personal, professional and therapeutic experiences,” she said.
Prince disclosed that she was hesitant to launch the programme because of the barriers and biases of the Guyanese culture in relation to seeking therapy. Eventually, she decided to go ahead with the projects, which, to date, have seen 27 participants and almost 300 homeless persons across central Georgetown receiving breakfast and lunch.