Story and photos by Joanna Dhanraj
Aurora on the Essequibo Coast is divided two sections: Aurora Estate and Aurora Village.
Although residents say the area was once owned by the Dutch, the name Aurora is of Latin origin meaning dawn.
On entering Aurora Estate the first thing one might see is a towering ‘Dutch’ chimney scaling above the surrounding trees. Along the street leading to the chimney are beautiful palm trees loaded with fruits.
The man who now owns the land with the chimney said his grandfather was the one who bought the land.
Further on, Padmini Ally lives with her husband and two children. Five years ago she and her family moved to Aurora Estate from Wakenaam. Life in Wakenaam, she said, was just the same except for having more amenities available to her in Aurora.
“I don’t have a problem with anybody. Since I come here, I find the people quiet and friendly,” the woman said.
Most persons, she said, work with the rice mill or on farms. Others have their own small businesses; and some work in Buck Hall at Barama Company Ltd.
Ally’s two children attend the nursery and primary schools in the Aurora Village. However the schools are currently being rebuilt. The buildings have been broken down and the children have been having lessons “under bottom houses” since last term, Ally said. School commences at 8.30 am and concludes at 2.30 pm. The extra half an hour in the morning, she believes, is to accommodate children coming from riverain areas.