The Alliance Française of Guyana is part of a worldwide associative network created more than 135 years ago in Paris, established in 133 countries and welcoming nearly 500,000 learners every year.
We, at Alliance Francaise Guyana, remain dedicated to supporting the growth of Francophonie in Georgetown and offer a wide range of programs, courses, and events to promote French language learning, cultural exchange, and intercultural dialogue.
We believe in the power of cultural exchange to bridge communities and foster mutual understanding. Through our diverse range of events and initiatives, we promote vibrant Franco-Guyanese cultural exchanges across generations.
DIRECTOR,
Deborah First-Quao
Deborah is a native of Ghana, in West Africa, who pursued her higher education in Paris, France – studying Communications and Marketing at the American University of Paris. For her love of the French language, she completed diplomas in French Studies at the University of Cote D’Azur in Nice. She has a professional background in Teaching Business English, and tutored many working professionals and children during her 8 year residence in France. With a passion for languages and teaching, as well as event management, serving the Alliance seemed a natural fit. Now a French citizen, she hopes to create opportunities for people in Georgetown to learn French and experience Francophone culture in all its forms around the world. During her tenure as Director, in addition to organizing events that bring people together around French culture, she is particularly interested in creating cultural exchange initiatives that target the youth.
MEMBERS OF THE BOARD
Alliance Française de Guyana is overseen by a volunteer and locally based Exective Board elected by the society’s voting members. The last Annual General Meeting was held in June 2024.
PRESIDENT, Omodelle George
Dee George was born and raised in Guyana and has been committed to the revival of the Alliance Francaise of Guyana. Co-founder and Director of Herdmanston Lodge, a Guyanese-owned boutique hotel as well as President of the Tourism Hospitality Association of Guyana, Dee brings her expertise in Business and community building to the Alliance. Her goals include welcoming new and existing French speakers and enthusiasts to the language and culture while in Guyana.
Dee also serves as a Director on the Protected Areas Commission and the Dominican Republic Chamber of Commerce. Passionate about community development and enhancement, Dee is also a Trustee on the board of Uncle Eddie’s Home and a member of the Rotary Club of Stabroek.
VICE PRESIDENT,
Stuart Defreitas
Simon Stuart de Freitas brings a wealth of experience in international relations, business, and systems automation. As Vice-President of Alliance Française Guyana, Stuart leverages his extensive background in humanitarian work, having collaborated with governments on initiatives aligned with the Order of Malta’s values. His career spans roles in real estate development, corporate board leadership, and managing global teams. Stuart is passionate about fostering cultural exchanges and is an advocate for education and inclusion, particularly for special needs children. In his spare time, he enjoys travel, running, and exploring diverse cultures.
SECRETARY,
Dreylan Johnson
Dreylan Johnson is a Chevening Scholar and alumnus of the University of Sussex, where she graduated with an MA in Cultural and Creative Industries. She joined the Alliance in 2023 as a language student, but has since acquired a deeper appreciation for the French language and culture after connecting with the community through the centre’s activities. This connection inspired her to run for the role of Secretary, to help advance the Alliance’s mandate. A writer, copy editor and researcher, she spends her free time supporting and organising ventures related to the literary and performing arts.
TREASURER,
Louanna McIntosh
Louanna is a Guyanese native with a passion for the French Language. She taught CSEC French for five years at the Marian Academy school after completing her language studies at the University of Guyana. Louanna joined Alliance Française of Guyana in 2023 where she completed intermediate level courses offered by the institution. She is also an active member of the organization’s weekly conversation club. Her aim is to inspire high school students to learn French. At the beginning of her professional career, she worked in the banking and finance sector and has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Bedfordshire. Louanna is the also owner of EngageMedia; an agency that provides a suite of services designed to grow business revenue through innovative marketing strategies.
ASST. SECRETARY/
TREASURER
Jean Francois Gerin
Jean Francois is a franco-guyanese who was born in the French Alps. He studied Applied Languages to Agro-Industry at the University of Clermont Ferrant in Auvergne, France. Upon completing his degree he was sent to Guyana in 1989 by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to serve as « Linguistic Attache in Guyana » for the French embassy to Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana. He taught French as a lecturer at the University of Guyana and promoted French culture and languages in secondary schools for eighteen months. During this time he was approched by Dr Joycelyn Loncke to participate with a group of dedicated « francophiles » in reviving the Alliance Francaise in 1989. He has been a Patron ever since.
Jean Francois enjoyed Guyana, the country and the people.
Therefore, he only spent a few months back in France after completing his first mission. He returned to Guyana early 1991 to work with Amazon Caribbean Guyana Ltd, unique French investment in Organic agro-industry where he served as GM until 2023. During his first mission, he had been visiting the interior of Guyana, « drinking creek water and eating labba ». And in 1993, he married his Amerindian sweet heart, Tamara, strengthening his ties with Guyana.
He returned to France once again in 2003 and started his own language institute, JFG enterprises, where he taught English, French and Russian for 8 years, providing much needed support to French people considering expatriate positions all over the world. He also provided IT training for pensioners and grand-parents to help bridge their digital generation gap in the country.
However, his love for Guyana found him looking for a way to return. He accepted an opportunity with the new owners of Amazon Caribbean Guyana Limited, producer of organic hearts of palm, pineapple, acai and fruit juice. He currently serves as their CEO. Jean Francois served as President of the Alliance Française from 2015 – 2017. He is also Conseiller du Commerce Extérieur de la France in Guyana. Given his extensive experience living and working in Guyana he was appointed Honorary Consul of France in 2019 and will serve in that position until the opening of the French Embassy in Guyana in September 2025.
EXECTIVE MEMBER
Dr. Toyib Amusa
Toyib Amusa was born in the West African French speaking country, Ivory Coast. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in BioChemistry in Nigeria in 2017. To expand his opportunities, he completed a DALF (French language diploma) in Nigeria with hopes of pursuing his higher education in France but ended up doing a Masters in Public Health in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. By that time, he hoped to pursue an Medical Degree, and while researching educational institutions, discovered Lincoln American University in Georgetown. While studying there, he got involved in the Alliance Francaise to connect with other French speaker and even ended up teaching the A1 Level class. Toyib has participated in medical outreach programs to help remote villages such as La Grange and Berbice to combat diabetes and hypertension and has also assisted with rehabilitation programs. Outside work, he enjoys traveling, reading, and exercising.
EXECUTIVE MEMBER
Nikita Archer
As a seasoned language specialist with a passion for multilingual education and cross-cultural engagement Nikita Archer holds a Master’s degree in Teaching French as a Foreign/Second Language (FLE/S) from the University of the Antilles. She has extensive experience locally and abroad, in foreign language instruction, curriculum design, and educational technology. Her academic foundation includes a Bachelor’s degree in French with a minor in Linguistics from the University of the West Indies and a Bachelor’s in Spanish with a minor in French from the University of Guyana. Additionally, Nikita holds certifications in Portuguese proficiency (CELPE-Bras) and advanced training in Spanish from Chile’s Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso.
Currently based in her hometown, Georgetown, Guyana, Nikita serves as a Specialist Foreign/2nd Language Teacher, Lecturer and Tutor. Her professional portfolio also includes serving as a panel member for the Caribbean Examinations Council, where she helped to shape the region’s French language curriculum. She also serves as an Assistant Marker/Corrector for the Council’s regional CSEC French examination. Furthermore, she has also served as a contracted interpreter for the CARICOM Secretariat, showcasing her professional command of both French and English.
With a versatile teaching background that spans secondary schools, universities, and adult education centers, Nikita has taught a range of students, from beginners to advanced learners, both locals and foreigners. Her work emphasizes innovative teaching methods, integrating ICT and digital resources to enhance language acquisition and classroom interaction. Beyond the classroom, Nikita’s dedication to language education extends to her involvement with the Alliance Française of Guyana as a student and then Secretary and now an Executive Committee Member, where she contributes to promoting French language and culture.