Stabroek News recently visited the island of Wakenaam in the Essequibo River and while there we asked villagers for their thoughts about life on the island. Their comments follow:
Cynthia Singh, Teacher – ‘There is a strong sense of community around here. People of all races live here and there is no discrimination. It’s also very cool and quiet and the people are very hospitable. Because of these characteristics many people come here on vacation. As opposed to Georgetown, where life is too fast, life in Wakenaam is laid back.’
Devon Anthony Rogers, Agricultural Worker – ‘I’ve been living here for a very long time and it is a nice place to live except for the fact that there is no work for the youths, apart from farm work and working in the backdam. I plan to leave some time in the future, but for now I’m staying right here because I enjoy the peace and quiet. This place is just nice.’
Parbatie Latchman, Housewife – ‘I love living in Wakenaam. Everybody good with everybody. But we have a problem with the condition of the road, and the water is red which stains everything. But other than that everything is alright. One time I migrated for about two months. I was supposed to go for longer but decided to stay only for only two months. But like the two months and all was too long. This is a happy place. I born and grow here, I got married here and is here I want my bones leave.’
Doorpatti Ramnauth, Housewife – ‘As you can see I just come back from catching some shrimps which I’ll cook with pumpkin for lunch. If it was anywhere else you would have had to pay a set of money for this. Everything you need you can find right here on the island. And we’re free here, there are hardly any thieves and when you’re not home your neighbour looks over your things.’
Mahadeo Nankishore, Farmer – ‘Life here is alright. Everyone lives okay with their neighbours. The people just alright. And for relaxation you can take a nice relaxing walk about the place. You would enjoy it because the place is nice and breezy.’
Rick Persaud, Self Employed – ‘Happiness is just here for me. I have everything I need here to make me happy. I do my own work. I work for myself and I even grow my own food. My yard feeds me and my wife. I have fruit trees and all kinds of vegetables. I’m glad I can do this because the greens you get in the market are full of poison. So we do our own thing here. This is our lifestyle.’
Isaac Naraine, Shopkeeper – ‘It’s very peaceful and secure here. It is not at all like the fast life in Georgetown. Things are much slower. The best part is the security though; there is hardly the threat of being invaded by thieves.’
Suresh Sankar, Labourer – ‘It is very quiet here. You almost never hear anyone rowing or arguing with anyone. I was born on the island. I have never left the island, and I have no intentions of ever leaving the island.’
Ricardo Jumon, Labourer – ‘Wakenaam is a very good place to grow up and live but it needs a little more development, especially in terms of a ball field or somewhere you can hang out or play when people finish working in the backdam.’
Charles Persaud, Rice Farmer – ‘You have the opportunity to work by yourself here and the place has a very nice neighbourhood. The thing I like the most though is that you can work for and by yourself. I studied at the University of Guyana and did computer courses at some other places
but I don’t use any of that. When I finish my work here in the rice fields, I can just rock back and relax. I like that.’
