Episode 11 – Discovering a new Guyana
RYAN sensed not only his Uncle’s amazement at Guyana’s unbelievable transformation, but his immense satisfaction at its numerous accomplishments. This clearly has evoked an immeasurable sense of pride which was representative of those who were trapped during the period of discontent, hardships and oppression a few decades ago when his Uncle resided here. Ryan also sensed his Uncle’s disappointment at the fact that many of his peers are unable to see Guyana basking in freedom which is complemented by sustained progress. At seventy-five, most of Uncle Benji’s friends are either residing overseas or in the land of the great beyond. Those alive may not be able to witness for themselves the meteoric advancement the country has undergone over the last eighteen years. Ryan has quickly gotten accustomed to his Uncle’s routine enthusiastic revelations of life in the past. With every conversation, Ryan feels a sense of sadness for what the people then were forced to endure. This melancholic emotion has somewhat empowered him to fully appreciate his Uncle’s pride and joy at the country’s development.

For Ryan, it was more personal since it was thousands of Guyanese, including his Uncle, who were deprived of the basic necessities that life requires. It was if he felt the pain his Uncle and others suffered at the hands of the regime prior to 1992. His sense of gratefulness keeps exacerbating with every conversation with his Uncle; grateful for living in Guyana at a time when peace, progress and prosperity prevail. He shudder at the though of being deprived of freedom, basic foods and amenities.

He thought of the many related images he has seen of people in other countries who suffer from starvation which only didn’t result from natural disasters, but by dictatorial regimes, unstable political situations, tribal warfare and other factors which, unfortunately, are weapons to oppress the masses. He has seen millions being displaced with nothing to eat because of earthquakes and massive flooding. He has seen the images of genocide in parts of Africa and in other areas within the last two decades.

He fully understands the consequences of what instability and dictatorship can bring to bear on people. He was ecstatic that Guyana was thankfully devoid of any semblance of dictatorial rule and instability. Only a few days ago he read that the country has once again recorded positive economic growth which has been sustained for some years now. This annualised growth, which has been lauded by international organisations, has eluded many developed countries, resulting in the failure of numerous financial institutions over the last three years. AIG immediately comes to mind.

There were many others in parts of North America and Europe. Millions of jobs were lost. The “big” United States wasn’t spared. It probably suffered more than any other country. Ryan knows that Guyana was basically cushioned from the impact of the global financial crisis. He knows this was only possible due to the vision and prudent management of President Bharrat Jagdeo. He knows that such vision was not confined to the well-being of Guyana and Guyanese, but the wider world. He knows the recognition the President has received worldwide for his advocacy on climate change. He knows that such relentless advocacy has resulted in the President being bestowed with the “Champion of the Earth” award.

Ryan is cognisant that the Guyana he knows is not only being modernised at a rapid pace, but is leaping ahead of many other countries. He also knows that the Guyana today is not only free, but way advanced than the one his Uncle knew. For this he is proud; proud of what the country has achieved in a very short period after 1992. He wished his Uncle and others weren’t made to suffer the way they did. He knows that it may be impossible for the horrific images etched in his Uncle’s mind to be erased. He knows what he and other Guyanese now enjoy, his Uncle and his peers could only have dreamt of.

His enthusiasm grew as he drove towards his home. He took leave to spend time with his beloved Uncle. He is now committing to taking Uncle Benji to see many places during his stay whereby he can experience the immeasurable progress that has taken place over the years. He wants his Uncle to see how the construction boom has transformed the country’s landscape. He wants his Uncle to see more of the infrastructural development that has supported the country’s development. He wants his Uncle to see the many services that have been provided to people in areas that were once considered unreachable.

He wants his Uncle to see the many developments in Essequibo, Berbice, Linden, Lethem, Bartica and so many other places. He wants his Uncle to see it all. He hopes that by seeing the country today he once dreamt of, Uncle Benji would be able to rid himself of the images of an undeveloped, poverty-stricken and oppressive Guyana that still haunts him. As he continues to think, Ryan realised that he was no longer hearing the chatter of his Uncle. As he turned into the driveway, he looked and saw that Uncle Benji was fast asleep.

His peaceful slumber maybe was due to the food. Maybe it was the satisfaction of knowing that Uncle Benji has discovered that his beloved country is free, democratic, modernised and developing. Maybe it’s because Uncle Benji has discovered his homeland. Ryan believes it’s all three. If his Uncle was still chattering, he would have emphasised that ‘dis time is really nah lang time’.
To be continued…