‘The blueprint to victory’ – 2024 champion, Gabriela Arjun, guides SHOUT 3.0 participants

Jumping into the Recover Guyana SHOUT Competition without a strategy could be a recipe for disaster, especially when you consider the trailblazing success of 2024’s champion, Gabriela Arjun.

Arjun’s path to victory can be seen throughout the immaculate work which she produced.
Her bold, unwavering presence in the contest was a clear reflection of the hard work and determination she poured into her entry—qualities that set her apart and earned her a resounding win.

This victory has since caused her to reveal a significant blueprint for eager students willing to take on the challenge of becoming SHOUT’s 3.0 champion.

According to Arjun, part of what persons looking in must consider is that she has received immense support from her school and family.

“So, I think it was the unwavering support from not only my school but my family. The environment I worked in wasn’t stressful at all. I mean, there was anxiety, but I think the support and the environment created were really what helped me power through,” she said.

Arjun relayed that this competition pushed her to do more research and become more engaged in things happening around her.

“I was always environmentally aware, but this competition really pushed me to learn what was going on in the world. It led me to do more research and understand current events, making me more involved and aware of everything that’s happening around us,” she shared.

She also gave some advice to students, saying that when passion drives their motives, victory is within reach—but significant work needs to be done to achieve their goals. She wishes other students apply it to their lives.

“I always say once you’re passionate about something, you’ll be able to get through it. But you need to do your research, be aware of what’s going on, and keep researching. Once you’re passionate about what you’re doing, success will follow.”

In fact, she believes others can also take a page out of her book when it comes to environmental safety.

“We need to realise that we are the future, especially as youths. The environment, as everyone is saying, is everybody’s business, and we should be more concerned with protecting it. With this concern, we’ll be able to be more involved in environmental preservation.”

Arjun developed the hydroponic kitchen garden system in 2024, with the goal of producing food sustainably. With this project, her school was able to grow and eat whatever they produced.

However, she faced several challenges balancing her SBAs and other schoolwork, while trying to initiate this project. The mere execution of the project itself was no easy feat; it took about 5 to 6 months after the competition, before Arjun and her team officially launched it on November 22, 2024.

The competition has helped Arjun grow as an environmentalist, and she continues to evolve in that role.

Her futuristic goals for environmental management include broadening the reach of her project to produce more than what is currently being produced in Guyana, as well as diversifying the crops.

“Guyana has many upcoming students who will be entering this competition,” she said, underscoring the importance of sustainable practices for future generations.

This year, the SHOUT competition will reward participants with $4 million in cash and prizes, reflecting the growing recognition and impact of this platform.

The top secondary school will receive a cash grant of $1 million towards an environmental advancement project and one year of free fibre internet, compliments of One Communication.

The winning teacher will also enjoy a trip to Kaieteur Falls. The first, second, and third-place winners will each receive prizes, including green awards, cash prizes, laptops, and one year of free fibre internet service from One Communication.

Now in its third year, SHOUT 3.0, implemented by Recover Guyana, has grown into a nationally recognised platform that inspires youths to take action and drive sustainable change across Guyana.