Ayodele Dalgety-Dean is a family therapist from Guyana whose NGO, Blossom Inc, offers services that endeavour to protect women and children from violence. It has also played a crucial role in integrating vulnerable migrant communities into Guyanese society. Blossom Inc, founded by Dalgety-Dean in 2014, employs a multidisciplinary team approach that works collaboratively to respond to victim exploitation and abuse.

Ayodele Dalgety-Dean
It offers psychosocial services, conducts forensic interviews for use in court, and provides much-needed court support. Established to support the state’s Childcare & Protection Agency, it has expanded nationally from Georgetown, opening eight centres in five regions and employing close to 40 staff.
With its partners in government agencies, it is heavily engaged in raising awareness to prevent child sexual abuse, exploitation, and gender-based violence. It also works with socio-economically vulnerable indigenous communities such as the Warao, whose remoteness has historically impeded the delivery of aid and support.
In addition, Dalgety-Dean’s NGO has expanded its services to migrant communities, encouraging migrants and refugees to participate in the economy and society by helping them to navigate social services and economic life. Blossom’s Migrant and Host Community Services (MHCS) was launched in 2019. It caters to Venezuelan nationals, Guyanese who have lived in Venezuela for decades, and others such as Cubans and Haitians. It offers specialised mental health therapy, psychosocial support, child protection outreach, nutrition support, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services (WASH).


In 2020, Blossom launched its Education, Outreach and Advocacy Services to host workshops to prevent child sexual abuse, exploitation, and gender-based violence. Its Education and Outreach officers travel into coastal and hinterland communities to conduct needs assessments and promote referral systems.
Between 2017-2023, almost 2,000 people – the vast majority of them women and girls – benefited from Blossom’s therapy referrals. Over the same period, the NGO conducted almost 2,900 forensic interviews to gather information from victims and witnesses for use in legal settings. By 2023, Blossom had supported over 9,000 beneficiaries inclusive of migrants, conducting regular training sessions and workshops for the staff members who interact with them.
For her visionary leadership in transforming the landscape of child protection and advocacy in Guyana and improving the lives of indigenous people and migrant communities, Ayodele Dalgety-Dean is our 2025 Laureate for Public & Civic Contributions.
