Guyana Alternative Break

This Alternative Break will examine the intersection of race and sexuality in Guyana and more broadly, the West Indies. Program participants will be spending 1 of the 8 days of engagement in Port of Spain, Trinidad which will serve as another case study for LGBTQ+ and race dynamics in the West Indies. Rather than attempting to “fix” these deeply systemic issues, this program attempts to educate participants on an issue in an area of the world that is often left out of social justice discussions. The program also aims to have participants work with grassroots organizations in addressing what needs they identify for the community. While in Guyana, the participants will engage in discussions with scholars, government officials, and non-governmental organizations that serve LGBTQ+ people and racial minorities. An alternative break program has never gone to Guyana before and for that reason, fundraising is crucial to this programs success.


For a day-to-day itinerary of the program, please visit: https://www.american.edu/ocl/volunteer/alternative-breaks-guyana.cfm


About the Leaders:

Karla Palmer is a junior at American University (AU) studying Political Science. Karla is most excited to work with community partners and AU professors to develop learning intensive programming on the ground for student participants. Karla has roots in Jamaica and St. Thomas USVI. Karla is a former Student Leader and current Transformer with Capital Partners for Education (CPE). She will be interning in Public Finance Investment Banking at Bank of America Merrill Lynch this summer.


Brandan Persaud is a senior at American University studying Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics, and Government. Brandan is most excited to engage with community partners in Guyana. He has been to Guyana several times before to visit with family and this time he will be there with program participants and learning alongside them. Brandan will be joining Teach for America as a special education teacher in Chicago this summer.