By Shauna Jemmott

HAVING experienced a practical turnaround in their fortunes after a prolonged battle for residential status, residents of Timehri North are now showing their gratitude by their efforts to make their community the best one on the East Bank of Demerara.Seon Nestor, a 65-year-old resident, told the Guyana Chronicle that various groups have been formed within the closely-knitted community to take Timehri North higher. This is the same community — in the vicinity of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport (CJIA) at Timehri — which was under serious threat of being bulldozed by the past government for alleged trespassing. When the Guyana Chronicle visited this serene and sandy village yesterday, quiet social gatherings were observed at various points, while a few commercial spots, including One Touch business centre -– a barber shop, video game shop and boutique — was opened for business.

TASTE THE GOOD LIFE
Jamal Adams, a young barber, is grateful to the Granger administration for allowing Timehri North residents a taste of the promised ‘good life’, and is hoping to one day have the opportunity to cut the President’s hair as a show of gratitude.

The multi-talented Nestor, who was busy adding some finishing touches to his upholstery project, took time off to speak with the Guyana Chronicle.

He explained that the community not only thrives on farming and commerce, but is also home to the Guyana Prison Service, Laparkan and Amerijet cargo facilities, and the Guyana Fire Service.

He said the area is a beautiful place, and has become more united and determined to prevail in the midst of trials, as it faced destruction in recent years.

MORE UNITED
“Since the last Government tried to put us off,” Nestor said, “we became more resolute and united as one body to fight against those people…Election Day was one of a difference. Since the new Government came into place, we have engaged Minister Patterson in relation to our regularisation and our position from the last Government, and he made it clear to us that when they were the Opposition, they were totally against the removal of residents; and they are now there, and they will ensure that we remain.”

He said that while some 15 to 19 houses were in the vicinity of the airstrip development project area, the new administration has since identified and started preparing a plot of land within Timehri North so as to make available approximately 64 house lots to accommodate those 15 to 19 displaced households as well as those persons who may have applied for land before but had not gotten through.

ACTION GROUPS
Residents have since banded themselves into various development groups, he said, in a bid to take the community forward.
The Timehri North Action Group has drawn up quite an ambitious programme of activities, with a day set aside each month for a voluntary clean-up campaign and for fund-raising activities that would benefit all.

While a plot of land has been identified for a community centre, residents are awaiting its approval, and are in fact due to start receiving potable water in another few weeks, courtesy of the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI).

Noting that the Guyana Power and Light (GPL) is also expected to throw in its lot by supplying improved electricity services, Nestor said: “We will work towards making Timehri North the best village on the East Bank, taking into account that Timehri is the gateway to and from the country.”

Now that they, too, have won their independence, plans are also in train to erect signs, flags and banners across the roadways for the upcoming Independence Anniversary celebrations, with the blessings of the Minister of Youth and Culture.

Secretary of the Timehri North Action Group, Linda Cush, said she is eternally grateful for the complete turnaround the community has seen, with comfort and a purposeful future being restored to the area, instead of discomfort and dim hope.

“We’re trying on our own to start to develop our community. We have different projects we started,” she said. “We wanna make the start so that we can get the help. We don’t just wanna sit down and just wait; we are passionate about our community.”

Among items the group produces are bottled seasoning, cassareep, mango achar and pepper, and potential customers can contact Chairwoman Carmen Simon on 628-7973.

The group is also preparing to launch its block-making project, through which youths, too, will learn the trade; and an exhibition to showcase farm, home-made furniture and other products is in the making.

“Timehri North is a special community,” Cush said. “God granted us this land, and I feel He did for a purpose.”