A  GINA Feature 

The new Jawalla Primary School, Region Seven.

Guyana, land of many waters, rightly named after its first inhabitants, the Amerindians, who account for more than five percent of the total population and occupy approximately 139 communities, is home for many tribes of Guyana’s first people.

The nine tribes inhabit rugged terrain in Guyana’s beautiful interior regions where Government has over the years worked diligently to transform and bridge the development gap to ensure that they have every opportunity to develop.

Since the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) came to power in 1992, the administration has remained committed to its objective to fully integrate Amerindians in the mainstream of society. They are now included in the national programme, as well as special programmes specifically designed to assist in diminishing the gap between the interior regions and the Coast.

They now have access to better health care, quality education, school feeding programmes, school uniforms, scholarships, potable water, improved transportation, agricultural development, and assistance for income generating activities.

Additionally, many communities now have legal ownership of the lands they occupy.

An Amerindian Development Fund was established, a Ministry established and a Minister of Amerindian Affairs appointed to collaborate with other Ministries and agencies to ensure Amerindians are included in the development process.

Government passed a new Amerindian Act on February 16, 2006, empowering Amerindians socially, economically and politically. The original 1951 Act became obsolete.

Before 1992, thousands of Amerindians had no birth certificates. The present administration, whose secure foundation was laid by the late President Dr. Cheddi Jagan, has changed this and today more than 20,000 indigenous people have been issued with birth certificates for the first time, while thousands more are being processed.

Amerindian leaders are being further empowered and 94 Toshaos were recently sworn in as Justices of the Peace. This initiative will ease the burden Amerindians have been facing over the years of having to travel to other communities in order to access to the services of JPs.

Government’s financial commitment
Over the years, there has been a steady increase in the budgetary allocations to the Ministries and this year Government earmarked over $488 million for Amerindian development.

The sum of $234M was made available for the period 2007 to 2009 for presidential grants with $160M earmarked for this year.

The presidential grants programme provides communities with the financial resources necessary to fund projects that aim to provide the required services within their communities and help to make them more economically viable. The projects include productive and economic projects ranging from expansion of village farms, eco-lodges, building dams, providing kitchen facilities for school feeding programmes, purchasing equipment and cattle rearing.

Transportation

Children in the hinterland accessing water via a hand pump.

A fraction of Government’s initiative to enhance the lives of the indigenous people includes transportation, and to this end, several all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) were provided to the far off regions. This move has drastically improved transportation and economic activities in the interior areas, since due to the vast savannah lands and the distance between villages, travel was done mainly on foot and this took days.

Kato, Kopinang, Kamapang, Bamboo Creek, Kurukabaru, Taruka, Kamana, Itabac and Chiung Mouth in Region Eight; Karasabai and Karaudaranau Region Nine; and Matarkai in Region One have so far received ATVs.

Additionally, the cost for goods and services is expected to be reduced radically as Government continues to upgrade and maintain the roadways in its effort to make the transportation network more efficient. To this end, the administration is spending $148M to rehabilitate and maintain the access road from Linden to Lethem which is expected to be completed by year end.

This roadway links the coast to the border communities and would be the only major land link to be used by the heavier volume of traffic expected with the opening of the Takutu Bridge, slated for September 14.

Land titling
The Government of Guyana believes in equal opportunities for all Guyanese and is committed to improving the living standards of the more than 70,000 indigenous people.

Today, due to the concerted demarcation land titling effort, many communities have received titles to the land they occupy, while others have had their communities extended. Amerindians now have legal title for approximately 14 percent of Guyana’s territory.

On July 30, President Bharrat Jagdeo handed over four more land titles and four extensions.

Before a title is granted, a community has to be surveyed and demarcated. These measures assist greatly with encroachment by miners and loggers.

Government commenced the demarcation process in 1996.

Education
In the education sector, numerous schools, dormitories and other educational facilities were constructed under the PPP/C administration to ensure that every child is provided with an education, while hundreds of teachers are trained annually to deliver quality education.

Amerindian villages today boast secondary schools with trained teachers, many of whom are residents of those areas.

Every year, the intake of hinterland teachers at the Cyril Potter College of Education (CPCE) increases and some teachers are allowed the opportunity of training via Distance Education Programmes.

Moreover, the number of Amerindians entering Guyana’s highest tertiary education institution annually, the University of Guyana, has increased considerably, while the number of students receiving hinterland scholarships has been augmented. Their performance has also perked up.

Government realises the difficulties facing parents and in its quest to eradicate illiteracy amongst Amerindians, implemented a school uniform distribution programme and a school feeding programme. The benefits of these programmes have been visible since attendance at schools has improved considerably.

This year over 7000 students from Regions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 benefited from $15M of the $55M school uniform assistance programme.

Health Care
Over the past 17 years Government has constructed and rebuilt over 100 hospitals, health centers and health posts in the hinterland as part of its vision to improve the living standards of the indigenous people.

Over $100M was spent to build the Lethem Hospital, while several others have been rebuilt, including the Mabaruma and Moruca hospitals.

Doctors have been assigned to some health centers while Government has granted several hinterland students scholarships to pursue studies in medicine in Cuba. These will return to serve their communities after training.

Additionally, many Amerindians have been trained as community health workers, community dental therapists and nurses to advance health care in Amerindian villages.

Health Centres have been given radio sets to assist in times of emergencies and are provided with medical supplies on a regular basis.

These centres are equipped with Community Health Workers (CHW’s) who offer primary health care to residents. Vital equipment, among which are microscopes for Malaria testing, is available in almost every Health Centre.

Malaria has been a prevalent disease in hinterland communities. However, the Ministry of Health through the Vector Control Sector, has been working with communities to control the disease and there has been tremendous success in this regard.

Housing and Water
Government has made provisions to ensure that every remote village has access to  potable water through the hinterland water strategy, under which over 100 new water sources  were constructed  to benefit 28,000 people at a cost of over $90M in Regions One, Four, Five , Six, Eight and Nine. Numerous boreholes have also been sunk.

Currently there are other ongoing projects to improve access to safe water, including the introduction of the bio-sand filters in areas where a good water source does not exist.

More than $70M will be spent soon on the provision of potable water for the hinterland areas. This will be used to drill wells, provide storage tanks, install solar systems and upgrade the distribution network.

The Housing Ministry has embarked on a $200M programme to establish 200 low-income homes in hinterland communities. This will be undertaken under the second Low Income Settlement programme. Various communities are being explored to establish these houses. 

Culture
Recognizing the importance of the Amerindian people and their contribution to the society, Government has designated September as Amerindian Heritage Month, to highlight Amerindian culture and development and create a greater awareness of Amerindians.

Persons come from all walks of life to have a glimpse of Guyana’s indigenous people’s creations and unique culture, foods and drinks.