On 2 August 2014, Help & Shelter (H&S) welcomed members of the U.S Embassy’s Guyanese Youth Action Network, U.S. Peace Corps Response volunteers and visiting U.S. military cadets in the Cultural Understanding and Language Proficiency program.

Approximately 80 volunteers from the abovementioned organisations and H&S partnered in a day of community service at the shelter, which benefitted from multiple beautification projects.

The work included painting residents’ and the manager’s living quarters, a children’s playhouse and a section of the compound walls. The volunteers also mended broken doors, weeded the compound, cleared debris, planted garden pots and assisted in clearing the hydroponic screen house.

In the near future, H&S will finish accentuating the compound walls through the use of murals depicting positive, empowering messages for the women and children residing in the shelter.

It was a highly beneficial day of service for H&S and a rewarding experience for all the participating volunteers.