Week Twenty Five: Handing out Flowers

Week 25! A full quarter-century of updates and somehow, it still feels surreal. We’ve packed in so much: new tools, new places, new ways of thinking. It’s been a whirlwind of challenges and wins, but above all, I’m incredibly grateful.

This week, I’m taking a short breather back home in Toronto, reconnecting with family and friends. It’s the perfect pause to reflect and give thanks to the people who’ve helped shape this journey whether they’re across the ocean or right beside me in the field.

Shoutout to Home

To my family and friends: thank you for the constant encouragement, the laughs on long-distance calls, and the late-night chats that helped me reset after hard days. Special shoutout to Michelle, your patience, your support, and your grounding presence mean the world. You’ve helped carry me through the tough moments and celebrated every win like it was your own.

To My Incredible Team at the Trust

To Mrs Williams, Rhonda, Nikkita, Mrs Armstrong, and Roxana, thank you for being adaptable, open, and ready to dive into new challenges. Whether it’s jumping into a media project, helping at an event, or navigating the day-to-day, you’ve been there. Your openness to change and improvement has been key to what we’ve accomplished.

Building communications isn’t just about strategies and campaigns; it’s about culture. I see that culture shifting. We’re building something motivated, collaborative, and forward-thinking. And for the newer team members, thank you for helping bring fresh energy into that space.

Behind-the-Scenes Heroes

A huge thank you to the CUSO team both in Canada, Jamaica, and our in-country support crew. International work takes a lot more behind-the-scenes coordination than people realize, and your logistics support has made everything run that much smoother.

To Our Partners & Mentors

To our Board and partner organizations, thank you for opening doors. Whether through events, cross-collaborations, or simply sharing advice, you’ve helped me navigate Guyana’s conservation landscape with more confidence and clarity. A special thanks to the teams at Frankfort Zoological Society, WWF, Karanambu Lodge, and others who’ve welcomed me into important conversations and helped expand my understanding of the work happening across this beautiful country.

To my fellow communications professionals: I’ve learned so much from our chats, your advice, your approaches, and the generosity with which you share your knowledge. You’ve helped me believe that the obstacles we face are surmountable and that high-impact, high-integrity work is possible even in the most complex systems. You’ve been mentors and motivators.

To the People

And to the countless people I’ve met in markets, restaurants, on the street, thank you. Every “good morning,” every friendly chat, every shared laugh has added to this experience. Being far from home isn’t always easy, but the kindness here has helped me find rhythm, comfort, and community.

There’s something powerful about witnessing development firsthand. Whether it’s a freshly paved road, a new bridge, or scaffolding coming down from a newly restored building, Guyana is growing, and it’s exciting to watch it happen. There’s optimism in the air, and I’m proud to be playing a small part in helping that growth stay sustainable, people-driven, and future-ready.

What’s Next

This week is all about rest, reflection, and reconnection. But we’ll be back in action soon—with sharper focus, renewed energy, and an even deeper appreciation for this country, the people driving change, and the work still ahead.

Let’s keep growing. Let’s keep pushing. Let’s keep making this the best version of Guyana possible together.