Sara Mohan: Championing the rights of females and environmental conservation

There is nothing stronger than your mindset. You are able to accomplish literally anything if you have a positive mindset, the motivation to work, and the passion to accomplish your goals. Safeguard your mental health because, unfortunately, persons will make attempts to dissuade you from achieving your goals. Most importantly, believe in yourself.

Women have an equal place in society and must be treated with the same respect and dignity that men receive. Traditionally, women’s role in society has been much overlooked, but 22-year-old Sara Vanessa Mohan has been working assiduously to change the way men see women. 

She has been vocal about both women’s and girls’ rights as well as environmental conservation. But who is Sara Vanessa Mohan? Sara was born on the 30th of January 1998 at the West Demerara Regional Hospital to Devika and Omadat Mohan. She grew up with her brother, Vincent, at Canal # 1, West Bank Demerara (WBD). 

According to the 22-year-old, her parents were protective, and she was that energetic little girl who had many questions to ask. 

It’s what one would call the “countryside.” The community is very family-oriented and looks out for your best interest even when you are running errands elsewhere. The members of the community are also really supportive. I remember needing help with school at different stages of my school life, and they were always willing to assist, whether it was conducting interviews, distributing questionnaires, or simply helping with homework. These members are the prime example of the quote ‘it takes a village.’

While Sara was what a Guyanese would call a “chatterbox,” her brother was the complete opposite as he was the reticent one. Sara attended the Mc Gillivary Nursery and Primary and was awarded a spot at Saint Joseph High School after sitting the National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA). 

However, due to financial constraints, Sara’s mother could not send her to Saint Joseph High School and send her brother to the Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA). As a result, her brother opted not to attend GSA in a bid to allow her to go to Saint Joseph High School.  

He is one of my role models; seeing him work tirelessly yet try to elevate himself is inspiring. He has also been a part of my support base. As a matter of fact, my brother made one of the greatest sacrifices for me. Growing up, my parents could not have afforded to send me to St Joseph and my brother to GSA. He, therefore, decided that he will enter the world of work so my parents could send me to St Joseph instead of transferring me to a school on the West Side. I sometimes feel like I owe who I am to my brother because of his sacrifice.

This ambitious young woman related to this publication that she participated in as many events in both Primary and Secondary schools. 

I also ensured that I excelled in school. I knew I had the capabilities to accomplish anything, so I balanced all my extracurriculars and academics with the help of friends, family, and teachers. Traveling to and fro school every day took about four hours of my day, but I think it provided me with the time to sit with my thoughts and reflect on my day or think about what needed to be done next.

After writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC), Sara graduated with distinction and 12 subjects. She was a student from the Arts stream and later moved on to the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). 

She achieved an Associate Degree in Humanities and later hopped over to the University of Guyana, where she is in her final year pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations. 

The 22-year-old said that her passions lie in environmental preservation and female empowerment. She said, being 100% feminist, she feels as though she must champion the rights of women and girls worldwide. 

Besides, she noted that environmental conservation exists to protect humans. However, as time evolved, and humans sought greater advancements in technology and infrastructure, the environment was one of the prices that needed to be paid. 

“There is no doubt in my mind that if women were held in high esteem as men, the world would be a more developed and sustainable place to coexist. It is proven in studies that in places where women were given equal rights, there has been a notable decrease in famine and poverty and increased development. Females deserve to have an equal seat at the table. They deserve to be treated with respect, and their enormous contributions to society are acknowledged. We should aspire to live in a world where women all over the world have the right to vote, pursue whatever career they desire, attend a school or be able to walk on the road without feeling objectified or fearful for their lives.” 

She added, “Over the last two decades, we have seen mass depletion of the earth’s resources which will untimely destroy the earth. Planet earth is beautiful; if we want to ensure an environmentally healthy and safe space for our loved ones to enjoy as we did, we need to take action now. Simple tasks like planting a tree or properly disposing of your garbage aids in the fight against global warming.” 

Sara said that she has been vocal about both women’s and girls’ rights and environmental conservation to fulfill her passion. 

Through activism, I was given the opportunity to share my views about girls’ rights and was offered the opportunity to become the Canadian High Commissioner of the day in 2018. This achievement allowed me the opportunity to engage in discourse with leaders about girls’ rights and share my views for many to listen and join in the discourse. I have also been given other opportunities to engage in discussions with civilians with the hopes of having them join the movement.

At the University of Guyana, Sara acted as the Vice President of the University of Guyana Female Empowerment Movement and executed projects directed at girls’ empowerment. 

We sought to develop the self-esteem of girls, eliminate girl- on- girl hate, and even held our weekly self-defense classes which were taught by a fellow female. While in FEM, we were also fortunate enough to partner with other organizations to execute Guyana’s first-ever Climate Rally, which saw a fairly large turn-out. 

Apart from UG, this budding professional is also a charter member of the Rotaract Club of Stabroek. She acted in the capacity of International Service Director for two years and President for 1. During this time, she promoted and collaborated on projects that encourage female empowerment and environmental conservation.  

I was able, through my association with ROCS and UGFEM, to execute a joint self-defense class in observation of International Women’s Day. Joining the Rotary Family provided me with numerous options to champion the causes I am most passionate about and would proudly identify as a member of such an organization. They have also been instrumental to my growth. I have been inspired and counselled by them, especially those from the Rotary Club of Stabroek.

She would have also held executive positions in many organizations and always sought to place female empowerment and environment conservation on the agenda, even at church. 

These are movements I urge members to join in to create a healthy, safe, and free environment for all. Although I believe that everything in life happens for a reason, I can’t help but wonder what the world would be like if we all were to address conflicts with reason and the best interest of the other at heart. Sometimes we are so caught up in ourselves; we fail to recognize how our actions influence others.

Sara credited her success to God, whom she said has brought her thus far—not forgetting her parents and brother, who placed her needs before his. 

I believe that his favour has been, is, and will remain in my life. Without a doubt, my parents receive so much credit for supporting me emotionally, mentally, financially, and spiritually. My mother, in particular, has always been my greatest supporter and critic, which allowed me to see things others might not or are too afraid to say. My father, after a hard day’s work in the backdam or driving, travels from Canal #1 to UG at 9 pm to take me home, all this just to ensure my safety, which I am truly grateful for. Of course, my brother receives much credit for being a silent but strong supporter, and I’m lucky to have him.

When asked about her dreams and aspirations, Sara said that she sees herself at the forefront of the climate change movement in Guyana and beyond. 

It is my passion, and I believe I can create wholesome initiatives to curb global warming. I see myself being a role model for young people and a guidance counselor for those who are unsure of their future or are looking for purpose and motivation to continue pursuing their goals. It is my fervent desire that the Guyanese people work in tandem so the country can progress to where it should rightfully be. I truly believe that a country is as strong as its people. If our amazing Guyanese people could put their differences aside and work together, the opportunities for growth in Guyana are endless.