A GINA Feature
“St. Cuthbert’s Mission is blessed because … we are better off than a number of other Amerindian communities…” These were the sentiments expressed by several of the community’s villagers to the Government Information Agency during a recent visit to the area. Known for being the only Amerindian community in Region Four, while it may seem close by, St Cuthbert’s Mission is accessible through the Mahaica Creek or from the Linden Highway. Today, this community can attest to being a beneficiary of numerous government interventions that have aided its development.
The Government Information Agency’s reporter on July 2 sat with Toshao Ernest Dundas and several of his villagers to find out about life and development in the community.

Praises for PPP/C Gov’t
They expressed deep gratitude for the various interventions the current administration has made thus far.
Lloyd Andrews, a village councilor, said the present administration’s contribution to the community is an indelible one, citing as an example the road, a presidential promise to link the community to the Linden Highway.
Toshao Dundas stated that under the People’s Progressive Party /Civic Government, St. Cuthbert’s Mission has seen numerous developments in infrastructure, the quality delivery of health care service and education, the delivery of potable water and electricity, as well as ICT training. Residents received an opportunity to submit applications under the One Laptop per Family (OLPF) and are also receiving ICT training.
Residents expressed appreciation for the National Toshaos Conference, a brainchild of the current administration, since Amerindian leaders can ventilate issues of concern for their people and have the president address them. The toshao believes that this conference has influenced the majority of developments in Amerindian villages across the country.

Infrastructure

Road
In the past, residents were compelled to use either the Mahaica Creek River or a trail that links the community to Long Creek, Linden Highway, to access Georgetown; and because of the condition of the Long Creek trail, residents were forced to pay large sums of money in order to use a pick-up truck to transport their cash crops and craft to the city.
However, President Jagdeo, after a visit to the community last year, pledged $25M for the construction of a road.
Andrews said that the workers on the road had to be diverted to the Ituni area which was affected by the flood; however, “we are not too worried about that, because they will complete the job. More so, the road is passable, and like anywhere else when there is a heavy rain, it becomes a problem, but drivers just have to take their time”.
Since this initiative has been undertaken, the intended road has been sand filled and levelled. A drainage system has been set up at the sides to allow the soil to drain. Notwithstanding this, residents are already enjoying the benefits of increased sales on cash crop and craft, and an increase in economic activity, since individuals are frequenting the village for fun days, outings and nature tours. This spells a significant reduction to the cost paid for transportation as cars are now plying the route.

Water
A solar-powered well located centrally in the village provides water for residents. And plans are under way by the Guyana Water Incorporated (GWI) and the village council to significantly improve the flow of water since those who reside on the outskirts of the village are forced to harvest rain water and rely on creek water.

Electricity
St. Cuthbert’s Mission enjoys about four hours of electricity per day during the week, and about five or more hours per day at the weekend. Electricity is provided under the Unserved Areas Electrification Programme, which is the brain child of the current administration to provide Amerindian Villages with electricity. To this end, Government donated a generator, and with the help of the Guyana Power and Light, installed poles so that electricity can flow across the village. Residents are not billed for the use of electricity; however a system is in place for them to pay a meager fee of $5,000 per month, which is used for procuring gasoline to power the generator.
Electricity, once classified as a luxury for residents of this village, is now seen as a necessity since it has become a part of their lives, and for shop owners, it has helped to improve tremendously the quality of services they provide, thus realising economic growth in their respective ventures.

Education
In the past, residents could have only received nursery and primary schooling in the community; and families who could have afforded it were forced to send their children to Georgetown for secondary schooling. Those who could not have had the opportunity to be educated at that level, were forced to adopt a trade or undertake either logging or farming to provide for themselves.
However, a secondary school has been constructed and operational for about five years, which means that residents are accessing that level of education in spite of their economic circumstances, something that they could not have done before 1992.
To this end, the community has seen individuals sitting the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations, and whilst satisfactory passes are obtained, they continue to further develop themselves.
Four such students, who are currently enrolled at the Cyril Potter College of Education, are expected to return to the village at the start of the new school term in September, to man the secondary school.
To add to the secondary training available, the community is a beneficiary of a European Union Training Programme whereby village councillors and residents are trained over a three-month period in the use of computers. Further, the installation of a satellite under this programme sees residents connecting with the outside world through the use of the internet.

Health
Villagers were forced to pay the then expensive transportation fee to be transported out of the location so that they could have got to Georgetown to receive medical attention, whilst those who could not have afforded it, bravely walked the lengthy journey to get to the Linden Highway. However, there exists a health centre in the community, which is now manned by a medex. She will be joined by a trained mid-wife who is expected to return to the area upon completion of a training programme.

Agriculture
This community has been benefitting from a government initiative, the Rural Enterprise and Agriculture Development (READ) programme executed by the Ministry of Agriculture, geared to providing technical assistance to farmers. The project will help farmers to maximise their potential since they will be trained in crop protection, chemical application and soil treatment.
Over the years, St. Cuthbert’s Mission, known for its logging activity, small scale cash crop farming and craft production has seen a significant increase in farming activities since the younger generation is no longer depending on logging, as would have been the case 30 years ago. Youths are more interested in earning a faster dollar and as such they prefer to work in the mining industry. To this end, it is hoped that READ will see the establishing of a vibrant farming industry in the location which will assist the further development of the community.

Eco-tourism
Being a recipient of the presidential grants, St. Cuthbert’s Mission has invested in eco-tourism. To this end, the village council, with the help of residents and the grants, are in the process of completing a guest house, and erecting benabs at strategic locations in the community.
The intention is to create an environment that would attract visitors from Georgetown, but ideally from other countries. While the mission is in the process of creating the perfect environment, this has not stopped overseas guests from spending the day and enjoying the lovely scenery in the community.

Security
With the continuous development of the community, residents remain concerned about criminals entering their relatively quiet and peaceful community and taking advantage of them.
And so there is a community policing group comprising two members, a rural constable and a volunteer. To add to this, the Ministry of Home Affairs has commenced the construction of a police outpost which will see residents from the area gaining employment, since persons desirous of becoming police officers will be trained and sent to man the outpost.