A SIGN at Kokerite Landing, on the left bank of the Barama River in Region One (Barima/Waini), says: “Welcome to Kokerite Village (established) since 1953. Enjoy the warm hospitality of the residents, the tranquility of the lush green forest and the ever flowing of the Barama River.”

The welcoming sign goes on to say that persons visiting the community on business or other purposes must first consult the Village Council.
It adds (and this is the core of Kokerite): “All miners opting to work within the Kokerite Village must first seek the permission of the district council at least six weeks before the actual work should commence.”

Then there are some well-drawn paintings of animals comprising the wildlife in this hinterland community.

Located some 60 miles up the Barama River, and surrounded by dense rainforest, Kokerite is not only an ecotourism paradise, but a village that is on the rise, its residents moving from survival stage towards  growth and development.

Facilities such as health and education services, and solar panel electrification under the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) are improving the capacity of villagers to fulfill their aspirations.

Thatch-roofed houses are now a thing of the past, and new buildings are going up, some — like the new health centre and the new primary school — built by Central Government, and others being built for dwelling purposes by villagers.

John, a lifelong resident of the village, which has 200 residents, said recently: “Things are happening at Kokerite. We seeing many developments, and I am glad to see how these positive changes are taking place.”

The village is within the gold bearing Greenstone Belt of Guyana, and with the current price of gold being as high as it is, many villagers are finding prosperity right in their backyards.

Numerous boats with high-powered engines, and some even equipped with ‘boom-boom’ music boxes, can be seen gliding along the Barama River to definite but unknown destinations.

Villagers are, however, not losing sight of the tourism potential of Kokerite: The quietude; the cool and refreshing waters of its creeks (which the Council is committed to protecting from the ravages of gold mining); and the wildlife, including wild hogs, iguanas, turtles and fish.

There is also the occasional labaria snake, slithering along the white sands at Kokerite, generally minding its own business, and generally being allowed to do so.

As the sign says, all visitors to this Barama River village in the North West of Guyana are welcome. They just have to observe the courtesy of alerting members of the Village Council to their presence, and the purpose of their visit.

A proposed house of worship (Photos by Clifford Stanley)	A rock in the Barama River exposed by the low level of water, caused by drought conditions	Kokerite Landing