Lower Bonasika family among many who pass through on their way home

THE Pepperpot Magazine met Thelma and Hubert Harris, along with their daughter-in-law Denita Harris and her two-year-old son Paul Harris, at the Hubu landing. They were about to take a speedboat to cross over to their place of residence, which is Lower Bonasika.

Thelma seemed very happy to meet the Pepperpot team and even happier to acquire copies of the Guyana Chronicle, which were in our possession.

According to Thelma, whenever the family come out to do business, they usually use a speedboat from the Hubu landing to take them back to the Lower Bonasika community.

Bonasika is an indigenous settlement on the eastern bank of the Essequibo River. Thelma informed the Pepperpot Magazine that her community is a very decent one and that her Toshao is Mr. Stassford Williams. She said that they are a very religious set of people and this helps the people to see things differently.

“As an interior location we live well with all the neighbouring communities and we do not encourage wrong things like stealing, limers, drinking up and behaving bad and so on, even though sometimes you have a few who may go overboard,” she related.

She added that the people in the communities, which include Aliki, Fort Island– which is just across the river from Hubu– Morashee and the others share in the many activities that the villagers hold from time to time. In addition, the church forms an important part of lives in the villages and as such, this is reflected in their lifestyles to a large extent.

FARMING, A WAY OF LIFE
Thelma said that farming is a general way of life for most, if not every member of the community. She explained that even though more and more people are taking education seriously; and many of the young people are writing the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) Examinations and gaining places in other education and secular institutions, most people still see the need to “put down, even if it is a few plants in their yards.”

She mentioned that all the communities have a close relationship with Parika, explaining that this is where the large-scale farming and agro-processing items go for sale; also, it is where a lot of buying is done to renew supplies for shops and other businesses in the communities.

The Lower Bonasika community has just over 150 residents; however, they have a school, which is about three miles downriver. On the other hand, in Upper Bonasika, the population is much more and they do have some added facilities. Other than a school, there is a community centre and a health centre.

EXPECTATIONS

Last year, the government commissioned a computer lab at Lower Bonasika and according to Thelma, while the villagers are a contented bunch of people, they are also expecting more, especially to help the young ones to make themselves more marketable.

She stated that as villagers they are always willing to work hard and help themselves; and will continue to do so. However, improved services in every respect will always be welcomed, especially as it relates to education, health, community welfare and recreational facilities.