Rotary Club of Georgetown hands over shade tunnel to Phoenix Recovery Centre

Mar 03, 2026 News

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(Kaieteur News) – The Rotary Club of Garden City – Georgetown on Sunday handed over a macro shade tunnel to the Phoenix Recovery Centre.

The ceremony was attended by visiting District Governor Soraya Warner-Gustave from St. Lucia, Assistant Governor Rafeek Kassim, Past Assistant Governor Elizabeth Cox, President Risa DeSantos and members of the Club, as well as Co-Founder and CEO Samantha Younge, staff, and residents of the Centre.

The visit of the District Governor is a momentous occasion, as it provides rotary clubs with an opportunity to showcase their impactful projects and initiatives undertaken to serve various communities, the club said in a press release. The shade tunnel forms part of a broader initiative led by the Club’s Service Projects Committee, headed by Director Cindy Maloney, aimed at strengthening support for the Centre’s rehabilitation programmes. In addition to constructing the tunnel, the Club facilitated internet connectivity to improve the Centre’s communication capacity.

Upcoming phases of the initiative include the development of a website to increase public awareness and keep families informed, as well as the construction of an outdoor gym to further enhance client wellbeing. Together, these efforts underscore the Club’s commitment to supporting rehabilitation and reintegration.

From structure to soil to seedlings, the Rotary Club of Garden City – Georgetown spearheaded the project in its entirety. Club members, along with Interactors from New Campbellville Secondary School, visited the Centre to participate in the planting exercise. Students assisted with bed preparation and the planting of seedlings, and also participated in a drug awareness session led by the Centre’s counsellor, Ms. Ram. They heard firsthand accounts from residents about the devastating impact of substance abuse, creating a powerful and personal learning experience. Students were also introduced to the COP handbook and the “farm-to-table” concept, reinforcing the importance of making sound life choices, embracing healthy living, and prioritising regular exercise.

The shade tunnel will now serve as a sustainable resource to support horticulture therapy within the Centre’s rehabilitation and wellbeing programmes. Clients will be responsible for maintaining the facility and will directly benefit from the produce cultivated, which include tomatoes, lettuce, pak choy, sweet peppers and eggplant.

The tunnel was constructed by participants of the Shade House Training Programme, implemented by Environmental Management Consultants Inc. (EMC) in collaboration with the National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) and the Guyana School of Agriculture. The programme was delivered through the Climate Resilience Grant, funded by the ExxonMobil Foundation, and continues to empower individuals to advance sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship across Guyana.

Secretary of the Club, Erwin Chapman, who attended the week-long training programme, spearheaded the Club’s involvement in the planting exercise and played an integral role in bringing the project to fruition. In her remarks at the handing-over ceremony, Director Cindy emphasized the importance of partnerships in driving meaningful community impact and reaffirmed the Club’s long-term commitment to supporting the Centre through practical and sustainable initiatives.

The CEO of Phoenix Recovery Centre, Mrs. Younge also delivered remarks, sharing a brief  history of the institution and expressing gratitude to the Club for selecting the Centre as a beneficiary and for investing in a project that will directly enhance client rehabilitation and self-sufficiency.

Also addressing the gathering was Dr. Travis Freeman, Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit within the Ministry of Health. Dr. Freeman commended the initiative and highlighted its important role in strengthening ongoing rehabilitation efforts. The visiting District Governor congratulated the Club on its achievement, commending members for their vision and dedication to service, and lauding the construction of the shade tunnel as a tangible example of Rotary’s impact in action. The Rotary Club of Garden City – Georgetown said it remains committed to advancing sustainable community initiatives that empower individuals, strengthen institutions across Guyana, and promote volunteerism.

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• Garden City, Georgetown, Phoenix Recovery Centre, Rotary Club, shade tunnel

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