MANY Guyanese are making an impact all across the world. They include, among others, international artistes and creatives, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are making their mark in countries far and wide. But Dr Vashti Budhram is taking her impact a step further, with her life-changing work through the Dignity Initiative.

The last time Pepperpot Magazine caught up with Dr Budhram, she was already making waves as a fierce advocate for education and empowerment, both at home in Guyana and abroad. A Berbice-born trailblazer, Dr Budhram climbed her way from pupil teacher to professor, collecting degrees, awards, and accolades along the way.

From classrooms in Edinburgh in Region Six to lecture halls in New York, she’s become a voice for the voiceless through her most recent project, the Dignity Initiative Program. Under this initiative, Dr Budhram works with immigrants and the underprivileged, supporting financial literacy and workforce development. Although still in its early stages, the programme has had a profound impact, positively changing the lives of hundreds.

During a brief visit to Guyana, Dr Budhram sat down once again with Pepperpot Magazine to discuss the impact of education, her work in the Dignity Initiative Program, and her aspirations to return to Guyana and make a meaningful contribution.

The Dignity Initiative is a two-year effort that supports individuals in transitional housing, shelters, or experiencing homelessness, helping them reclaim control over their lives through employment preparation and financial literacy. Made possible through a generous US$500,000 grant from the Citi Foundation, the programme operates out of the Jamaica YMCA in Queens, partnering with 13 shelters and 10 educational institutions to provide access to job opportunities, practical financial tools, and a renewed sense of dignity.

Participants include recent migrants, high school students, undocumented individuals, and those at risk of falling through the cracks.

“Shelter families and students include people who migrated and are placed in shelters but are going to school,” said Dr Budhram. “Some are undocumented. We help them find jobs and offer volunteer roles. We give them a stipend through the programme.”

Workshops, seminars, and conferences form the backbone of the Dignity Initiative’s approach.

“We prep them for employment,” Dr Budhram added. “I have workshops, seminars, and conferences to support participants. We actually prep them. Then we have 13 shelters and 10 educational institutions that we work along with.”

The programme also supports high school students through partners like Queen’s Satellite High School.

“Queen’s Satellite School is one of the schools I work with,” she explained. “It has my largest population of students because of its diversity. It caters to students from 18 to 25 years old.”

In just one year, the Dignity Initiative has already helped hundreds begin their journey toward stability.

“We have a target of 750 participants—450 for the workforce,” Dr Budhram shared. “So far, I have 272 persons. Those 272 are now in jobs—part-time, full-time, or voluntary—across healthcare and other fields in New York. They are from shelters, homeless, and transitional housing,” she said.

However, the programme does more than train and educate—it equips people with the skills they need to succeed.

“My programme provides toiletries, clothing, footwear, suits, everything needed for an interview,” she added. “We also give gift cards to clients who need them. When clients are moving out of transitional housing, we buy household items and help them get a fresh start.”

Dr Budhram emphasised that restoring dignity means addressing the whole person, not just employment.

“We try to help people have a better life—jobs, food, better clothing. Our main focus is to educate persons financially, to spend wisely and get a job to support themselves and their family,” she said.

But the work comes with its challenges, especially when supporting undocumented individuals.

“One of my biggest challenges is finding job opportunities for undocumented clients,” she said. “They have to be documented to work legally, so I have to create ways to pay them—for example, through their volunteering activities, with a stipend.”

Despite this, numerous success stories have emerged from the Dignity Initiative.

“I had an immigrant in my programme who needed a background check for a job, but couldn’t afford it. The programme paid for it, and that person is now employed,” she shared.
“Another woman had never worked in her life. After going through the programme, she was employed and received her first pay cheque at 40 years old.”

Support and mentorship have been major elements in the programme’s success. Dr Budhram credits her mentor and supervisor, Cedric Dew, Executive Director of the YMCA and Vice President of Transitional Housing, for helping her grow into her leadership role. Randall Amey, Director of Transitional Housing, also played a significant role in her development.

Now, she leads the initiative with growing confidence. Other key partners include Regina Ganpat of J.P. Morgan, who provides financial literacy training, Rachel Rosenberg, a volunteer, who supports high school students of the shelter in Science, and the three stalwarts of Mandl College of Allied Health: Dr. Linda Chapilliquen, Director of Evening and Weekend Programmes, Dr. Orsete Dias (Vice President) and Ms. Ana Tejada  (Dean of Academics and Student Affairs). They are all strong advocates for student support.

Special mention was also made of Mr Ed Caesar, retired Chief Education Officer (Guyana), who Dr Budhram considers a foundational pillar in her professional growth.

When asked about other significant structures that supported her academic development, Dr Budhram emphasised the critical role played by her five children and beautiful granddaughter. They continue to inspire her.

While she is proud of what she has built in New York, Dr Budhram remains passionate about returning to share her knowledge in Guyana, the country of her birth. A decorated educator, she began her teaching career at the age of 17 and later served as a graduate headteacher and literacy professional officer. With the Dignity Initiative already transforming lives in New York, her ultimate goal is to replicate the model in Guyana, where her journey first began.

Through her continued work, Dr Vashti Budhram remains a shining example of what it means to lead with purpose, compassion, and pride in one’s roots.