By: Tassia Dickenson
Canadian non-profit organisation, A Different View Project (ADVP) is seeking to establish its Vaksana project here in Guyana. The project consists of three components, a regenerative farm, an outreach programme, and a women’s retreat centre “The Lotus Centre” which will be located in Queenstown, Essequibo Coast.
The organisation has started a GoFundMe for persons to donate money for the construction of the US$87,500 centre for women.
ADVP was founded in Canada by Menakshi Babulall, who recently re-migrated to Guyana from Toronto to establish the project. The organisation is operated by three cousins, Babulall, the founder and CEO who specialises in community development; Samantha Gabuji, Creative Director, specialising in Holistic Therapy and is a tattoo artist based in Toronto; and Shoba Bharrat the Programme Developer specialising in Behaviour Psychology based in New York.
The vision of Vaksana is to provide a new way of experiencing Guyana – one that is focused on rest, rejuvenation, and personal growth.
“I believe that by creating a welcoming community for women and addressing issues like gender-based violence, we can help create a brighter future for Guyana. It’s time to break the cycle of violence and empower women to live their lives to the fullest, without fear or intimidation. With Vaksana, we’re not just building a physical space, but also a supportive community that values and uplifts women, helping to create a more equitable and just society for all,” Babulall explained.
“The Lotus Building is a vital part of this vision,” she added.
The building will serve as Vaksana’s retreat centre, providing a safe and empowering space for women to connect with themselves and each other. When completed, it will feature a vegetarian restaurant and juice bar, a large workspace for training workshops, and a yoga and meditation area to rest and recharge. The building will be a place of healing and rejuvenation.
According to Babulall, she is extremely excited to be using the earth-bag method for construction, which is a very sustainable and environmentally friendly method. She added that a workshop will also be hosted to teach people this new method.
“I’m particularly excited about the construction technique we’re using for the building, which involves using earthbags. This sustainable method is not only environmentally friendly, but it’s also cost-effective and can withstand natural disasters. We’re fortunate to be working with [a] civil engineer and earthbag specialist Mariana Jimenez, who has built earth-bag buildings all around the world. Mariana will also be hosting a workshop during the construction to teach the process, so it’s an opportunity for the local and international community to learn a new skill.”
Jimenez has built earth-bag buildings in countries such as Nepal and Mexico. This technique is proven to be highly durable and climate-resilient. It also helps to regulate the temperature, keeping indoors cool during hot days.
ADVP is also currently working with the Green Dupatta, a Canadian organisation doing work in Guyana and India, and Lydia Vallo Foods, a vegan and vegetarian chef with expert knowledge in soil regeneration and organic farming to establish a programme called “Farming for the Future”, targeting young women to teach them about organic and regenerative farming while establishing our own regenerative farm.
Added to that, ADVP will also be partnering with the University of Guyana’s architecture department which will be in charge of designing the building and helping to lead the construction of the project along with Mariana.
Persons who are interested in joining the organisation can send a cover letter stating their interest along with a resume to [email protected]
Meanwhile, Vaksana has already been leaving an impression on the hearts of Guyanese with their “Give a Gift campaign” which saw 72 children receiving gifts in Queenstown over the holiday season. They are also looking to launch Pride Guyana 2023 with a pride retreat event with SWAG – the SASOD women’s arm.
Vaksana currently offers a wide range of services such as camping, massages at their current retreat centres, and more. Interested persons can contact them on WhatsApp at +592 622 6599 or via their Instagram page @vaksana.advp
