‘Safe Haven’ app to bridge caregiving gap in Guyana

Moving beyond her struggles to find reliable caregiving support, Anjenie Abel has created a digital platform aimed at transforming how families in Guyana access childcare and eldercare services.

Though the digital platform, called Safe Haven, was first developed as a website four years ago, the mobile app was officially launched on Friday.

“There were moments in my own life when I needed help and couldn’t find it. When my father needed support, we struggled to find someone experienced and reliable. When my son was born, we needed a break just a little time to rest and breathe, but again, the options were few and far between,” Abel said.

Recognising that many families may also be experiencing the same thing and help fill the gap in caregiving, Safe Haven was born with a mission to provide safe, accessible, and trustworthy care services.

“At its core, Safe Haven is a digital platform that is built to help families source trusted caregivers, whether for child care or elder care, and at the same time, it’s a space where caregivers can find real work opportunities, with structure,” Abel explained.

Safe Haven currently only offers services on the East Coast, East Bank, and in Georgetown, with bookings requiring adequate notice.

“We’ve made many attempts, hit roadblocks, and kept pushing. We built a website, then an app, but it wasn’t enough to just have a platform. We wanted a truly seamless experience, from the moment someone books care to when that care provider arrives at their door,” Abel explained.

One of the biggest challenges was creating a secure, reliable payment system.

However, Safe Haven has successfully integrated Mobile Money Guyana (MMG), allowing users to complete their caregiver bookings and payments from their phones.

Caregivers must provide a certificate of qualification, two references, and a police clearance before being approved. So far, 20 caregivers have been hired, with about 50 others still undergoing the vetting process.

“I want to pause here and say this clearly: Safety is everything.

“You will never see a caregiver on Safe Haven who hasn’t been properly screened. This isn’t just about convenience, it’s about trust, and giving families peace of mind,” Abel affirmed.

Looking ahead, Safe Haven plans to expand its services, add new categories of care, and collaborate with government programmes like the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) to create even more employment opportunities, especially for trained women.

To learn more or to book a caregiver, visit safehavengy.com or download the Safe Haven app from the Apple App Store or Google Play.