MATTHEWS Ridge is a picturesque little township located in the North West District, at the northernmost extremities of Guyana. It is a close-knit community comprised of very hospitable and welcoming people of all races, and is home to many animals and birds. Fruit trees such as lemons and pears abound, creating an ambience of serenity, mystique and adventure.

This quaint community, which can be found in the Barima-Waini district of Region One, is accessible by aircraft, and can take about 40 minutes to get there from the Ogle International Airport to the Matthews Ridge airstrip on the outskirts of the village.
The populated mining district is a beautiful place for sightseeing. It is very hilly, and this, coupled with its lush rainforest, is home to the Reunion Manganese Inc., which employs residents of Region One as well as people from the coastal areas.
The shops, hotels, schools and bars at Matthews Ridge reputedly never sleep. My second trip to Matthews Ridge felt like the first, because the welcoming ambience made me want to explore the place all over again.
On this trip, I had the pleasure of touring the Reunion Manganese mine, and got a firsthand view of the facilities there.
The facilities are on very sprawling land that extends upon many hills, and the dining area itself sits on a huge mountain which overlooks part of the rich rainforest of Matthews Ridge. The compound is environmentally-friendly and clean, and Company employees are provided with housing, meals, and equipment for work.
This trip to Matthews Ridge was made possible by Digicel Guyana, since the company’s cellular tower sits on a hill in an area allocated to Reunion, and the cellular giant has since visited the far-flung community and undertaken several community projects, including youth development, sports, and other community-based initiatives.
Digicel Guyana has invested a lot in Matthews Ridge in an effort to develop a close relationship with the community; several years ago, the company launched its cellular service there, thus improving telecommunications in that interior location which is home to several hundreds of people, including miners.
The most popular mode of transportation is the All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), but there are several pickup trucks, lorries, minibuses, cars, bicycles and even motorcycles in the community.
Matthews Ridge is simply unforgettable. Its tall tress seem to extend from the horizon in a grandeur that is unmatched anywhere else; the colourful birds and butterflies are truly magical; and the two larger hills — Hell’s Hill and Devil’s Hill — are just littered with houses and businesses.
I also had a tour of the Pakera District Hospital at Matthews Ridge, and the Matthews Ridge Police Station. Both facilities are located on hills overlooking the village.