Story and photos by Roger Wong
Although there has been significant transformation in most of the small villages along the East Bank Essequibo, some residents have been complaining about the unacceptable condition of the road which has been adversely affecting them.
Growing up in villages like St Lawrence and Present Hope for those who are approaching their thirties meant growing up with no electricity, road, telephone or even a gas stove.
Many of the houses were small wooden buildings, some with thatched roofs, wooden windows and doors. From around 5 o’clock in the morning, one would see swirls of smoke emitting from the small attachments to the houses, which were used as kitchens and referred to as the ‘cow mouth.’ This meant the women were already up making breakfast and lunch on the