Faizool Deo, a freelance reporter with the Guyana Chronicle, this week took his first trip to Kato, high up in the Pakaraima Mountains. Though astounded by Kato’s postcard perfect landscapes, it’s the demure Patamuna people who served to inspire him the most.

Wilma Benjamin has never travelled to Georgetown. In fact, she has never travelled very far away from home. She had a lost look when I inquired why. “I’m happy here; I have everything.” She then smiles when I gesture with uncertainty.
Her 10ft by 12ft mud-hut home has the basics. Too little for my comfort, yet she seems healthy and quite happy. Even when she explains her family’s dire situation, she does it with a pleasant tone. It’s almost common to her. Despite her circumstances, she was the perfect host; without hesitation she called on her daughter in their native Patamuna language to bring some cane wine. Soon cassava bread (which was baked the week previously) was brought out. It was delicious; she acknowledged the compliment.
I’m a stranger in Kato, just over 24 hours old in a village that is an artist’s dream and a couch potato’s nightmare. Unless you have a vehicle at your disposal and sufficient fuel, rare commodities in the area, you have to walk.
Kato is located about 186 miles south-west of Georgetown. Its last official measurement was 97 square miles, but recently the village applied for more land to extend its northern boundaries.
It’s as beautiful as it’s tranquil; the only warning that you should pay heed to is the “over fit” residents who will say a location is close or a few minutes away when in fact it takes a lot longer to reach.
Travellers to the region ensure that they have the most comfortable footwear; for many of the residents having any form of footwear is a luxury. As a coastlander, it was shocking to see several young primary school students with ordinary “rubber slippers.” It was humbling to see so many others without anything on their feet; yet they climbed, ran and rolled over hill paths on their way home. My empathy soon turned to respect. By the afternoon, as I attempt to traverse the area barefooted, my respect grows—it’s an arduous task.
Kato is littered with mountains, and one of the most beautiful places in Guyana. Add the Chiung falls into the mix and the area has a perfect scenic blend that would be enthralling even to the most travelled tourist.
Imagine waking up to a waterfall dip every morning, or a mountain hike to view the setting sun; for the 417 villagers (last census count) this is their daily reality.
Most of the residents are farmers so before dawn they are already on their way to their farms. The valleys where they plant are fertile, but with climate change the droughts are becoming more severe. A few others travel to the mines, and some make their way out to Lethem and even Georgetown, but those make very little impact on Kato’s financial development.
The new Toshao Clifton Pereira admits that the village needs to get a more tangible, sustainable means of making money, one which can benefit all or at least most of the residents.
This week he had another talk with Minister Lowe. She and Senior Minister Sydney Allicock are pushing community based tourism—one which will keep the values of the villagers intact and protect the flora and fauna.
Minister Lowe says that the villagers are strong people both physically and in terms of character, but she is very wary about outsiders who can come into the community and distort its harmony.
“We have hard working people here, humble people and the government is willing to do all in its power to make their lives better.
“We are pushing eco-tourism and agriculture and together with the community we will come up with more sustainable plans that can move the village economy and create employment for its residents, especially young people.”
Kato administrators had a discussion with tour company Wilderness Explores recently about the possibility of a joint tourism partnership, but that possibility has a number of hurdles to cross.
Pereira and Deputy Toshao Trevor Baldinvick though are pushing forward; they see the beauty that exists and they want to preserve it – both the pristine beauty of the land and the humble nature of its inhabitants.