Story and photos by David Pappanah
Moleson Creek is the last village on the Coren-tyne coast, located some 30 minutes away from Corriverton by a car. This small village is home to the Guyana-Suriname ferry stelling, which is why its name is so recognizable to Guyanese from all parts of the country.
The predominantly Indian community comprises about 300 residents who make their living from farming, and who describe the place as very quiet. Owing to the fact that it is the last village on the coast and does not have a large population, not many people stop to visit, this newspaper was told: “They just pass through and go to the ferry stelling, and that’s it.”
Villagers said, however, that Moleson Creek was once more densely populated than it is now, but that many have sought a better life overseas, or have moved to other parts of the country which offer more advantages.
Travelling through the village many vacant lots could be seen, which have been taken over by trees and bushes.
Residents do not have the benefit of utility services, and told Stabroek News that if they want electricity they have to use generators, whereas as far as a phone service is concerned, they just use cell phones. Water too, does not come through any pipelines installed by Guyana Water Inc (GWI); inhabitants are wholly dependent on rainwater.
“I myself went and make application for us to get water from GWI, and they told meh seh we have to make application… and people go America and come back down get water… we live here so long and nothing has been done to help us,” said Rahim. ,
Rahim went on to explain that he had asked the authorities to install a well at the head of the road, but nobody did anything. He was at the time complaining about the living conditions they are faced with. For him living in the “uncivilized” community is rough because of the lack of infrastructure and facilities.
He also said that the community has a lot children coming up and there is nothing for them to do in their spare time after they have finished their chores. Moleson Creek is in dire need of recreational activities for this generation.
Arnold, a farmer, was reaping his plantains when this newspaper encountered him. “No problem with the area… everybody cooperates with one another,” he said, describing it as a powerful area to live since it is crime free. The busy farmer who operates a cash crop and plantain farm and who also keeps livestock, says he finds it hard to market his produce because of the road he has to use to take it out. “Because of this road I have to sell my produce for less than nothing, and before it spoil and I have more loss I sell it out,” he said. He too echoed what his neighbour said about the need for recreational activities in the community.
SN later caught up with Hasimoon (only name given) who was born in Moleson Creek and who was relaxing after her chores. She told this newspaper that the area is good to live in, but because of the lack of infrastructure and basic necessities she finds it hard. She added that almost everybody plants a farm, and that whenever there is need for household materials or groceries they would have to travel all the way to Corriverton. Hasimoon was another resident who spoke of the need for recreational activities for the young.
in the area Minzoon Baksh
This is a nice village, said Wendy, a cash crop farmer. She said on a normal day when she doesn’t have to go to the market she would be working in the back dam tending to her farm. The children would go to school and come back and help with the chores, and then they call it a day. This mother also said that the road to the school is very bad. Sometimes there is no school because the other children in the village do not go. They find it hard to go down a two-mile long muddy road, she said.
To get around Moleson Creek residents say they use Tapirs mainly, but if they are coming from New Amsterdam they use buses and cars. Some residents also said that tractors play an important part in getting them home. The tractors are used to take them through the Moleson Creek Road because of its deplorable state.
Moleson Creek has one primary school.
after returning from market.
