Interviews by Tiffny Rhodius
and photos by Jules Gibson

As the year draws to a close, we asked the man and the woman in the street what they thought were some of the shining moments in the country and what were some not so good moments.

Nerissa Pearson, private sector employee

The year has been kind of torn for me. The fires on Regent Street those were bad but at the same time they got to get rid of some old stuff that allowed for them to get new stuff.

For me personally, I think that the Guyanese people need to appreciate the people around them because they are people just like you and me. You know, do onto others as you’d have them do onto you.

Trevor Forde, visiting Guyanese

I am just fed up with the hypocrisy and people speaking from both sides of the fence. I personally feel that the president understudied Burnham. This thing is only holding Guyana back. I just don’t understand the implicit hatred and fear between the races.

I am not going to use the physical fixtures to say that things are good. What is the use of all these nice buildings when people can’t afford a place to live or in the commercial case, to shop in the stores?

But my major peeve is us not getting together. Let’s show these people we can live together and be happy.

Kenwah Chow Quan Yi, UG Student

Some high points for the year would be the LCDS (Low Carbon Development Strategy). It is a good thing in a way of being a good theoretical approach. In terms of the consequences involved in applying it to this country, the critical thing is whether developed countries will be willing to give us their money.

I think too that the Kaieteur  incident was a bad thing but people should still go and visit the falls and enjoy its beauty.

Len Corsbie, private sector employee

The bad thing first: my most memorable disappointment is the sudden increase of the noise level. This is the nosiest place I’ve ever lived in. I think that it is a reflection of people’s loss of patience.

On a positive note the promise of urban renewal that I think there’s going to be. The lawlessness which has pervaded the land has to be curtailed. I am beginning to see some glimmer of hope that some semblance of order can be brought back to our country. I’ve seen some people in office that are doing that and they need to be given the power and authority and encouragement by the citizens.

Leslyn, public sector employee

As Guyanese, we’ve gone through lots of challenges and I’m sure this is the time to look back and analyse and it’s also a time when we can anticipate what is in the coming year and how we can contribute in the future.

I think this is the way to view things.
Shannon, unemployed

A bad thing would be the many accidents that have happened for the year. The country has just deteriorated as far as I’m concerned. Too many people are out of jobs especially young people. They pay all that money at UG and have no jobs when they get out.

Something more positive…now that you ask me you made me stop and think and I’ve come up with nothing. I can’t think of what good came out for this year.
Otis Jarrick, public sector employee

Most obviously I think the year has been a good year. The improvements of modern technology, job opportunities and increase of salary are to me some of the high points in the year.

Some of the bad points are the increase in deaths due to road accidents and the cost of living which has gone up.

Phadrica George, private sector employee

All I would want to say is that God’s sustaining power amidst the global economic and social crisis is noteworthy. There’s so much surrounding the crisis but I would not want to focus on that. I would prefer to magnify God’s sustaining power.
Janice Griffith, housewife

The low points to me are the amounts of unsolved crimes. When you think about the little boy who went missing in the Essequibo River you wonder what kind of justice you’ll get for that.

It’s kind of scary because as a parent it makes you worry for your children. You worry if your child is next.

As for the good things that have happened this year, I can’t think of anything right now. I would love for things to be different though.

Jeffrey Wong, self-employed

I think we’ve achieved a lot of things in the development of the nation. We’ve seen a lot of good being done in the health sector. Crime is the bad thing for the year. They’ve got to get more serious with security. For myself, I’ve achieved a lot with my karate college.