WANTING to put a different twist to our column this week, we decided to go in search of a classy village or location that evolved from a primitive form into something of glitzy development and breathtaking brilliance.

We did not have to travel far, since beckoning us with its eye-catching beauty was the Roraima Housing Scheme, located just behind the Aracari Resort at 160 Plantation Versailles, West Bank Demerara.

History
In the early 1990s, what is now the beautiful Roraima Housing Scheme actually used to be the location of the Versailles Sugar Estate.

That estate fell into disuse several years ago, and was replaced, in 1995, by an extensive soap factory that supplied the laundry needs of a wide expanse of Guyana. But, in 1996, this soap factory also ceased operating, and the area was then taken over by the now CEO of the Aracari Resort, Sase Shewnarain, who was in control and had responsibility for overseeing the entire location.

According to his nephew Ganesh Jaipersaud, Sase had bought over the estate from the Vieira family of Houston, East Bank Demerara, and he indeed had plans for the very rugged terrain.

At that time, this area was a very large guava grove with thick, wild vegetation, and was not really traversed by anyone. However, cattle and poultry farmers from outlying villages greatly benefited from targeting the area for a special type of grass that was ‘growing like crazy’ in there.
Persons who thrived in the capturing and sale of our tropical bird species also visited the area to obtain certain grass species, from which they extracted the ‘grass seeds’ to feed their ‘caged babies’. It is said that this area had in full bloom grass types that helped with the growth and ‘whistling skills’ of the captured beauties.

Shewnarain seemingly invested heavily in this very undeveloped land; and, over time, the formation of land plots could be seen, as well as the bustle of certified individuals measuring and conducting land surveys at his bidding.

With extensive advertising, the land plots began ‘selling like hot cakes’. Mainly targeted by some of Guyana’s most elite business personalities, it even attracted persons from the hierarchy of governmental bodies.

In the late 1990s, the still very bushy area became a ‘whirl of very busy bodies’ as potential buyers and already established land owners swooped down on the area to either view, solicit a land spot, or prepare their plots for building.

By the early 2000s, the Roraima Housing Scheme began to take form, and indeed became the topic of discussion all around the West Bank of Demerara. There was talk about its potential beauty, and about the intentions of its future residents to make it the ‘home away from home’ location. And one has to agree that they succeeded in surpassing even their own original expectations.

Roraima Housing Scheme
Many people in this beautiful Guyana aren’t even aware that this posh little housing scheme exists, or that it houses some of the more sophisticated elites in our society today.

So, with all pleasure, we will, of course, give them the grand tour.

WE disembarked our taxi just a few rods from our intended location, and were immediately struck with the majestic setting of the Aracari Resort, situated merely a few metres from the gate that allowed access to the Roraima Housing Scheme. What literally made us drag our eyes away from the resort was the beckoning serene beauty of the housing scheme when viewed from the West Demerara Public Road.

Residents are fenced in, and the location is manned by very efficient security, but we were still enthralled by sight of the many beautiful homes we saw towering above the height of the fence. We were facilitated by a well paved and asphalted road as we made our way to the stylish security hut to seek permission to enter the premises. Luckily, we were in company of a resident who actually lives there, or we may not have ever gained entry inside the compound.

The female security officer was very polite but equally firm in her enquiries as to our reason for visiting, and whether we were going to any resident in the scheme. After a gruelling session, we were finally allowed in, and naturally felt as if we were in wonderland. I, for once, marvelled at the claybrick road that wound its way into the scheme, branching off into side streets like Tulip Drive, Cherry Tree Drive, Flamboyant Drive and a few others. This quite creative choice of material to construct the road contrasted with the customary asphalted streets of the 21st Century, giving this location a somewhat serene yesteryear ambience.

Imagine our ‘Oooooooohs’ and Aaaaaaaahs’ as we rounded the first bend after the gate and came face to face with one of the most beautiful pathways leading to the first very large and well architectured home.

A brilliant fusion of tropical flowers lined the pathway, engulfing us in its mystic beauty, filling the air with interwoven ‘flowery scents’ that somehow seemed to soothe away the aches and toils of life. Everything was just ‘spic and span’, and there was not even a tiny sign of paper cups, plastic bags or food boxes thrown in the streets. Roraima Housing Scheme was certainly a litter free zone.

Nature’s beauty
Passing the first building, its magnificence still impressed upon our minds, we encountered an open plot of land which signalled that persons were still investing in land plots in the well developed scheme.

This plot of land, which was marked with the owner’s particulars, was overgrown with grass and wild flowers, and certainly has not been tended to in a while. But it was the towering trees which looked like a ‘nature orchestrated backdrop’ that drew exclamations of amazement from the visiting party. It was as if we were viewing one of nature’s most ‘momentous masterpieces’ etched in a manner that detailed the ‘artistic wonder’ of the Creator. For me, it was a distinct reminder of the many marvels of my Maker; and to tell you the truth, my throat constricted and my eyes burned as I struggled to resist the tears that were threatening to overspill my eyelids. I would maybe never understand why I responded in such a manner to this ‘gripping sight’, and I still think the trees were sending me a distinct message.

Appealing layout
As we trudged through the housing scheme, we could not help but praise the arrangement of some of the most expensive trees and flower plants that lined the roadway and the driveways of several residents.

The street signs all seemed to be brand new, and some of the hottest brands of vehicles were either parked in driveways, under houses, or making their way to the public road. The houses were all lavish and posh, with intricate designs to showcase variety. And the colours of some building were shades that either kindled or soothed one’s spirit.

There was no clustering of houses, since space was not a problem there. Instead, all homes were apparently built in strategic locations that allowed a full view of their enchanting beauty.

Hospitality
One would want to think that in such a top-notch location, the residents would all be uptight and walk around with their noses in the air. This was certainly not the case…

As we journeyed on, housewives waved and smiled from their elegant verandahs, while husbands waved in good spirits as they passed in vehicles in and out of the scheme. And those who were driving literally stopped to offer us rides into the scheme, insisting until we declared our reason for visiting. When they were told, some expressed pleasant surprise and some were quite elated that their residence was deemed important enough to attract media attention.

Certainly, the hospitality of the people matched the appealing aura of their abode.

Peace and quiet
This is not a location where you will find people traversing the streets or shouting loudly over fences. Instead, this housing scheme seems to exude such peace and quiet that many in our party wistfully declared their desire to live there.
The peace and tranquility was stirred only by the faint strums of stereo music being played softly from a few houses, or the pleasant sound of the wind rushing through the branches of coconut and silk cotton trees.
Occasionally, the joyful whelps of fluffy puppies running about in the yards could be heard as they playfully snapped at and tumbled over each other.

Only in the afternoon is a little activity seen in the streets in the form of a few persons jogging or otherwise taking a reviving evening stroll.

Self-sufficiency
This location operates to some extent on its own successfully without outside intervention.
The Roraima Housing Scheme is headed by a body called the Plantation Versailles Residents Committee, which is responsible for issues affecting the scheme. This body overseas the handling of garbage, drainage and irrigation, and other issues that can negatively affect residents if not handled properly.

The ever efficient security guards manning the gateway to the scheme are actually privately- sought-after individuals, and are paid from monetary contributions donated by residents of the housing scheme.  
Residents pay individuals to clean their drains and to keep the road parapet and their driveways free of fast growing grass and foliage.
A few areas on the road get damaged from heavy vehicles transporting sand, steel and stones for building; and in such situations, residents would purchase the needed items and repair the damaged area, especially if it is directly in front of their homes.

There are, however, no shops, stores or boutiques in the scheme; and one woman who secretly sells a few groceries noted that they are not yet allowed to have those luxuries, but would soon lobby to have them, like any other location.
One home owner deals in skin care products and health supplements, being a legal agent for an overseas firm.

A few persons are still building, and there are still a few house lots still up for sale. So if you are planning to build and looking for a serene and quiet spot, we urge you to visit the Roraima Housing Scheme, where existence is comforting and ‘worry free’. You will certainly be blown away by the sophisticated appeal of this ‘scene stealer’.

Whoever said a guava grove couldn’t be transformed into a sophisticated settlement?