Our Family
Anthony Archer, Co-Founder
Anthony Archer is one of two co-founders of Allan’s Hands and Hearts Guyana Foundation. Born in Guyana, he was raised at the Red Cross Home for Convalescing Children as an infant. Anthony spent the majority of his child- and young adulthood at the Saint John Bosco Orphanage for boys.
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Once he left Bosco, Anthony attended the Mercy Wings Vocational Center and later attended the Carnegie School of Home Economics, graduating in 2005 with a degree in Catering and Hospitality Services. His specialty lies in preparing cross-cultural food and beverages.
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Anthony's childhood served as the primary inspiration for the establishment of Allan's Hands and Hearts Guyana Foundation. Because he was raised in children's homes, Anthony says he "grew up expecting people to be in and out of [his] life," but that the steady stream of visitors that came to engage with him and the other boys led him to "see things differently."
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"We always wanted them around," Anthony says of Bosco's visitors. Because of the countless bonds Anthony made throughout his childhood, he realized that, "there's always someone out there thinking about you, who wants to spend time with you. Others coming here, telling you they care--you both learn."
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Both Anthony and Andrea are deeply involved in their communities, reaching out to and working with groups of people who are often marginalized, like orphans, the elderly, and people living with the effects of leprosy.
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Of his overarching goal for Allan's Hands and Hearts Guyana Foundation, Anthony says, "I want there to constantly be people coming, so [the children in these homes] always know there will be more people who care."
Andrea Archer, Co-Founder
Andrea Archer is the second co-founder of Allan’s Hands and Hearts Guyana Foundation. She grew up in Moraikobai, an Arawak village in Guyana's "interior," or 5th region.
Andrea attended the Carnegie School of Home Economics in Georgetown, where she and Anthony met. In 2007, she graduated with a degree in Catering and Hospitality Services and ​became a certified tour guide from the Ministry of Tourism.
Before co-founding Allan's Hands and Hearts Guyana Foundation, Andrea guided visitors from around the world through Georgetown and Guyana's interior. She currently plans all special events for visiting groups, including meetings with government officials and excursions to Moraikobai.
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Andrea is passionate about introducing groups to the beauty and history of Guyana, which led to her official tour guide certification. She enjoys teaching visitors about the diverse cultures found throughout Guyana, while also learning about those of newcomers. Her enthusiasm and fondness for sharing knowledge leads to a group dynamic that encourages intellectual discussion and personal conversation, both between visiting group members themselves and the Guyanese people with whom they spend their time.
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Aside from offering numerous teaching moments, Andrea truly loves to see visitors enjoy their time in Guyana. She always ensures that everyone feels comfortable and welcome during their stay.
Allandres Archer, Namesake
Allandres (Allan) Archer is the adorable and eager face of Allan's Travel and Hospitality Services.
Born to Anthony and Andrea Archer in 2009, he is always ready to greet and befriend visitors. Allan provides expert comic relief both "at home" in the hostel and around Guyana, often serving as an ambassador between visiting groups and people at various sites of service. Visitors are sure to find a new friend in Allan from day one.
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Adreanna Archer
Adreanna Archer, born in 2014, is the newest addition to Anthony and Andrea's family.
Much like her older brother, Adreanna is outgoing and curious, ready to play games and make friends with new visitors. She is almost always smiling and enjoys tagging along with groups to visit service sites like children's homes and orphanages.
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