Adelphi is one of the more populated and diverse villages in the Canje area. Residents say the village has developed tremendously over the years, from a new scheme opening in the back, to new roads, proper drainage, lights and water, there isn’t much to complain about.
Shaheed Jahoor, 46, has resided in Adelphi for over ten years now. The father of nine, who hailed from Cumberland, East Canje Berbice, said he could not find a “house to live in Cumberland”, which then led him to Adelphi. He said he believes destiny played a part, adding that after he moved into the village he immediately became attached because he liked the atmosphere and residents instantly.
Jahoor, who is currently employed at the Rose Hall Estate is one of the workers who will be laid off come December 29. When World Beyond Georgetown visited the village, he was on his way out to “look another job”. He said that despite the circumstances he will continue to live in Adelphi.
The Adelphi Village Market is a landmark in the Canje community. Once the most populated market in the entire Canje, it now has about three vendors. One vendor, Donna, said she interacts with Adelphi residents everyday and “they are nice people”.
She said, “This market used to be big, big, but people stop sell and go away.” She added, “Sales hardly deh, them plantain a lef and so, them greens and so, wah we go do?”
One issue raised by several residents was that the village needs activities for youths. One resident even suggested forming a committee to develop the village instead of waiting on regional authorities and government. The woman, who is a housewife said, “Maybe we can form a committee and do all these things; see things for the youths to do instead of them getting into bad things like drugs and thief.”
Hewlett Hinkson, 50, who was born and raised in Adelphi, noted that over the years some things have changed for the better, while others have changed for the worse. He said the village has developed tremendously as it relates to infrastructure, however, social issues have become more common. He said most streets are in good condition, but more emphasis should have been placed on design. “I think the streets should have been wider, so people can drive comfortably.”
He also bravely highlighted that racism has become more constant in the village. “Long ago people used to live as one. Now, it still got some people like that but the racism is there more,” he said.
Hinkson, who is a pump attendant at the Adelphi Water Scheme, stated that he enjoys working there. He said, “My responsibility here is to ensure water is always here to serve the people, residents and GuySuCo. …Water from here goes in the backdam to supply the cane harvester and all those workers; water goes to the factory, spraying the cane, residents come and full water.”
According to Hinkson, the Adelphi Water Scheme, which falls under GuySuCo, supplies water to the Rose Hall Estate. However, he stressed that persons from all the villages in Canje visit the area to “full water” as well as those from outside of Canje, even as far was Sisters on the East Bank Berbice, and Albion on the Corentyne.
Hinkson said he is not sure whether the water station will be closed once the Rose Hall Estate is out of operation. “I am waiting on my boss to tell me, I don’t know anything right now.”
Rajkumar Persaud, 63, also born and raised in Adelphi, stated that so far he has enjoyed his days in the village. Persaud highlighted that more employment is needed in the village for youths. “Them children going school and graduating and doing well and can’t get jobs, maybe they need to create jobs in all them villages for the youths,” he said.
For the past ten years, he and his wife have operated a chicken stall on the Adelphi Public Road. He said, “When I started business was good, now… nothing na sell. I don’t know if the people can’t afford to buy.”
Notwithstanding that he said, “Adelphi is a good place, I would encourage people to come live.”
Meanwhile, Pharbatttie Persaud stated that much more emphasis needs to be placed on garbage collection within the village. The chicken vendor said, “We get good streets and so, but the environment na clean, people a come and dump garbage all over. All over them a come throw garbage, if them buy one plastic bag drink and drink it and just throw it away right here.”
The woman also stressed that she has enjoyed living in Adelphi Village, which she described as being quiet.
Another resident, Narendra Persaud, who has lived in the village for over 16 years made a call for street lights. The young father said even if lights were only placed at the head of streets, it would be helpful to persons coming home late from work. He explained that it is very dangerous to walk in the dark, noting that one can be attacked at anytime.
He also added, that the villagers were quite “kind and caring. Is how you want make you life and live you know.”
Abdul Wahad Rasheed, 56, jokingly said that sometimes the village was quiet, but “sometimes it hot with music.” He also joked, “I born and grow here and will have to dead right here.”
According to Rasheed, “kitchen thief” had been to escalating in the community. However, he said, he believes that the police have taken note, since they have upped their patrolling in the community.
Adelphi has several Christian churches a Hindu Temple and a Mosque.
Basdeo Persaud Cyrill, 59, who is employed at the Rose Hall Estate stated that some 15 years ago he moved from Reliance, East Canje to Adelphi. He said, “I like here you na get none problem, people good here.”
The father of seven children also called for street lights in the village.
Ian Graves, 40, a security guard attached to Banks DIH, New Amsterdam said that when he was a youth the village did not have electricity and the roads were in a deplorable state. However, he said much work was done to improve the village. “I thankful for everything…, we looking for betterment in this place.” He also called for job creation in the community for youths.
Debra Simone, 53, called for a garbage truck to traverse the village. “One truck use to be in this village but long we na see it.” She said villagers need to stop throwing their garbage in the drains instead they should find ways to properly dispose of their garbage.
Simone is currently building a house in New Forest, East Canje. She said once she moves she will miss Adelphi and the residents a lot.
Verna Newyear, 59, who resides with her nine-year-old granddaughter, said she has lived in the village for over five years now. She also called for persons to properly dispose of their garbage.
Zahkir Mohamed, 30, who owns a tyre shop, said he is worried about his business once the Rose Hall Estate is officially out of operation and persons no longer have an income.
However, he stressed that he enjoys living in his home village.
Meanwhile, Cedric Taitt, 68, said he has been living in the village since he was a “lil boy”. Taitt said the village has changed from the way it was in “long time”.
He noted that he lives alone and after he is done cooking and cleaning for the day he goes out on the main road and hangs out with his friends, something he enjoys a lot. He said his wife left him years ago.
He also encouraged young persons to always keep their chin up, stay on the right path and work to make themselves and parents proud.
The village also houses the Adelphi Nursery School, a playground and the Guyana Water Inc Well Station. It has several food and cake stalls on the main road along with one of the largest grocery shops in the Canje area.
