Serving the community
CILANDELL Glen is a Guyanese social worker, adolescent and mental health advocate, and community development professional committed to improving the mental health and psychosocial well-being of children, adolescents, young adults, and families.
Driven by a passion for creating safe, supportive and stigma-free spaces where individuals can speak openly about their mental health, Glen founded Desert Flower Guyana Inc. (DFG) in 2020.
She said what began as a vision to promote mental health awareness and support individuals and families has grown into a social-impact organisation committed to building a mentally healthy generation in Guyana. 
As Founder and Executive Director of DFG, Glen provides strategic leadership to Desert Flower Guyana and has been instrumental in conceptualising and developing initiatives that respond to the mental health needs of vulnerable populations, she said.
Glen added that, under her leadership, DFG has implemented and developed initiatives focused on mental health awareness, psychosocial support, counselling access, suicide prevention, youth empowerment and community engagement.
Additionally, Glen serves as the Adolescent Health Coordinator at the Ministry of Health (MOH), where she contributes to national efforts to strengthen adolescent health, sexual and reproductive health and mental health services in Guyana.
Glen’s passion for service and change led her to volunteer. She first volunteered at Artistes in Direct Support under the guidance of Ms Desiree Edghill.
She noted that this journey led her into the helping profession and drove her to complete her academic studies in Social Work at the University of Guyana (UG).
Glen has a life filled with service. After Artistes in Direct Support, she joined the Rotaract Club of Georgetown, where she served and contributed to the development of children, adolescents and communities.
During her time in the Rotaract Club of Georgetown, she served in several capacities, both locally with her club and at the District 7030 level.
She served as President, Secretary, Vice President, and Community Service Director at the club level, and as Community Service Liaison Officer, International Service Liaison Officer, and District Liaison Officer to Guyana at the District 7030 level.
Glen is also a current Rotarian and Past President of the Rotary Club of Georgetown Central, where she serves as the Vice President for the Rotary year 2026–2027.
Previously, she served as President in Rotary Year 2022/2023 and Public Image Chair in 2025/2026. In 2025/2026, Cilandell received the Rotarian of the Year Award.
She told Pepperpot Magazine that she grew up in Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, with her family before moving to Georgetown, where she currently resides.
Glen stated that her humble upbringing in Region Three shaped who she is today.
She reported that she enjoyed her adventures in the back dam, climbing fruit trees with her brothers, and that these adventures contributed to her love for nature and the outdoors.
The advocate related that she attended La Venture Nursery School in Bagotville, West Bank Demerara, and St. Andrews Primary School in Georgetown.
However, after completing primary school, she attended North Ruimveldt Multilateral Secondary, where she spent two years before moving to the Academy of Precious Ones, where she completed her secondary education.
Glen said that, after secondary school, she attended UG, where she completed a diploma in Public Management, followed by a diploma and a degree in Social Work.
Following her studies at UG, she completed a master’s degree in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom after being awarded the prestigious Chevening scholarship in 2018.
This was followed by a master’s degree in Social Work at UG and a postgraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Advocacy from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica.
“My future aspiration is to complete a doctorate and contribute my drive towards empowering adolescents and contributing towards the development of my country,” she said.
Glen said what she loves most about her work is the opportunity to impact the lives of adolescents and young adults countrywide.
She added that it has always been her desire to contribute to the development of adolescents, young adults, her community, and her country.
“I must say that I’m elated and honoured to be allowed to work in a field where I can not only impact the lives of individuals but make a significant contribution to society, my community, my country and the world,” she said.
Glen told Pepperpot Magazine that there are several things that keep her motivated; however, she would like to say that God, His plans and His purpose for her life keep her motivated.
She credits her success to God and believes she was placed on earth for a particular purpose, and that each day she is guided into the lives of individuals and places and allowed to fulfil it.
Glen related that her passion for creating change can impact and change the world, and she believes that by impacting one individual, that person can have a ripple effect that will, in turn, create the change they all want to see.
“One of my greatest desires is to leave the world a better place than I found it, and I know that this can be accomplished by impacting one life at a time. I believe in the mantra ‘Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth’. To live my mantra and to contribute to the development of my community, my country and the world, I volunteer with the Rotaract Club of Georgetown, Rotary Club of Georgetown Central and For the Children Sake Foundation,” she said.
During her years as a volunteer, she has received the Rotaract of the Year award (two years), Director of the Year award, the For the Children Sake Foundation Award of Excellence and Humanitarian Award, the 25 Influential Women’s Leader Award, and the Rotarian of the Year award. She also received the Chevening 2018 Scholarship to study for a master’s degree in the United Kingdom.
Desert Flower Guyana Inc.
Glen is the Founder and Executive Director of Desert Flower – Guyana Incorporated, a registered non-profit organisation committed to promoting positive mental health and psychosocial well-being among children, adolescents, young adults and families across Guyana.
It was established in 2020 under Guyana’s Trust Deed Act. The organisation was founded in response to the increasing mental health challenges affecting vulnerable populations and the need for accessible, community-based mental health support.
The organisation works to reduce stigma, improve mental health literacy, strengthen resilience and expand access to quality mental health services through education, advocacy, early intervention, psychosocial support, capacity building and community partnerships.
The vision is “To grow a mentally healthy generation by empowering individuals with the tools and skills to protect and manage their mental health.”
The mission of Desert Flower – Guyana Inc. is to promote a friendly, stigma-free environment for children and adolescents who are dealing with and are affected by mental health issues.
Through its work, the organisation seeks to change this narrative by creating safe spaces where individuals can speak openly, access support, build resilience and understand that seeking help is a sign of strength.
Three core pillars guide the work: Promote. Support. Empower. They promote mental health awareness and education, support individuals and communities through meaningful interventions and resources, and empower young people, families and communities with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to thrive.
Since its establishment, Desert Flower Guyana has implemented initiatives aimed at improving the mental well-being of children, adolescents, families and communities, including: Let’s Talk Green Bench Initiative, Glow for Mental Health Out of the Shadows Awareness Walk, Light It Up Green Guyana for Mental Health Awareness Initiative.
On October 9, 2026, Desert Flower Guyana will host its 6th Anniversary Celebration and Project Launch at Fresh Café. Following the anniversary celebration and project launch, it will host its 5th Annual Glow for Mental Health Out of the Shadows Awareness Walk and mini Mental Health and Well-being Fair.
