Villagers at Hopetown, West Coast Berbice are echoing a cry for jobs heard across the country, though for them it seems more urgent as the majority of its youthful population are new graduates.
Last week several villagers told Stabroek News that many of its 3,000 residents are new secondary school graduates who are coming up short on job opportunities. One woman opined that it is “very difficult” for them to gain employment and they are becoming frustrated. And although the school dropout rate is not high, according to information this newspaper has received, several teenage girls have left school and are engaged in various activities to earn an income. It was also noted that drug abuse is a concern in the community as well.
The woman, who declined to be named, said in the past parents would ensure that their children are gainfully occupied with farming in the backlands or in the backdam and this would be enough to sustain their families. She said agriculture can be a means of engaging the youths. Roger Dublin, a dance instructor agrees with this view however, he pointed out that drainage and irrigation must become a priority. He said that the water that flows to the farmlands must be controlled as sometimes it is too much and other times not enough. Additionally, he said some persons would need assistance cultivating their lands and equipment such as power saws which many persons with arable land do not have.
Dublin says he has farmlands in the backdam and though he has said he does not know the acreage he is interested in cultivating the land. The man said other than teaching dance he has no permanent job and to make ends meet he has a kitchen garden and would plant cash crops at the Hopetown water-side. Dublin said he tutors 35 persons between the ages of 13-24 in African and other dances in his Silvering Dance and Drama Troupe. He said he has had as many as 43 students but “a lot of people gon elsewhere,” he said. Dancing has been enjoyed by the Dublin family for generations… the man recalled that his great, great uncle taught square dancing and noted that he has taught dancing for as long as he can remember. He said many of the villagers are quite talented; if only they were provided with opportunities.
Another man said the sport authorities should develop the Hopetown Community Centre ball field, “for nationals.” He said that the development in Hopetown is not reflective of the community’s contribution to Guyanese culture and he’d like to see more done for the village.
