The Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Recover Guyana, officially launched its Signature Project: FLOW: National Water Purification and Sustainability Initiative for Public Secondary Schools, TVET Institutions, and Special Needs Schools in Guyana.
According to a GGI press statement this Friday, the four-year collaborative effort aims to transform access to purified drinking water for more than 58,000 students across 141 public secondary schools, 10 TVET institutes, and four special needs schools by the end of 2029.
FLOW represents a significant national investment in education and environmental sustainability. The overarching goals of the project include increasing access to clean drinking water, promoting the use of reusable bottles, and preserving the environment, while also positively impacting Guyana’s carbon footprint.
The agency said that by 2030, it is projected to prevent approximately 25 million plastic bottles from entering Guyana’s waterways and landfills, fostering a culture of environmental sustainability and stewardship among students and educators.
The water purification systems will utilise sources from Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) or rainwater, and will feature advanced filtration, purification, and modern dispensing technologies powered by solar energy, positioning FLOW as a model of sustainability.
Over 1,500 students and teachers will be empowered through training in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related water system management and maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the project.
In his address, Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, reflected on the foundation of GGI in advancing the benefits of the oil and gas industry. He said this in keeping with the development ethos of the country to be sustainable, underpinning the long-term prosperity for the people of Guyana.
Routledge said FLOW is more than just a water project, “It’s about sustainability, it’s about investing in young people in the country who are the future of prosperity and sustainability.”
Dr. Davindra Lalltoo, FLOW Project Lead and President of Recover Guyana, stated in his remarks that every reusable bottle symbolizes the shift toward greater accountability and stewardship, and that every child should carry that message forward. “Recover Guyana is proud to work closely with its partners, the Greater Guyana Initiative and the Ministry of Education, to champion this important initiative,” he expressed.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Sherwyn Blackman, Assistant Chief Education Officer (ACEO) for Secondary Schools, said the project is a transformative step for the education system, aligning education, health and environmental advocacy in a single initiative that benefits students across Guyana.
FLOW will begin installation in January 2026, utilising solar panels for renewable energy. Through FLOW, students across Guyana will gain access to clean, safe, cool drinking water, empowering them to become lifelong champions of environmental sustainability.
