Many Guyanese have settled on the twin island

THE Pepperpot Magazine, during n a recent visit to the twin-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, encountered some Guyanese in the diaspora and some of them opted to have a chat.

Guyanese living and working in Antigua and Barbuda, Joy Ann Wright said that life there is very good and she leads a very quiet and peaceful life. She has been residing in Antigua for the past 26 years and decided to stay after she fell in love with the scenic island and its people.

Wright works in the tourism industry and is one of the sales staff at the Ship Wreck Craft Shop at Heritage Quay in St. John’s. “I am Guyanese so Guyana is home; my country of birth and I always have to go back to see what’s happening and so there is no place like home but sometimes you have to make a move elsewhere,” she said.

She believes that the tourism industry between the two countries should be strengthened since it will be beneficial for both nations.

“Guyana is beautiful and Antigua has its unique features as well, and tourism promotion is a welcoming thought because I was watching a documentary about Guyana via YouTube and I have seen the places Guyana has to offer as a tourism product and it’s good,” Wright said.

Another Guyanese, Carliston Haynesworth, who has also been on the island for many years said that he went back to Guyana and returned only last year to Antigua. He came for work and Antigua has become his second home – a home away from home, he said.

Haynesworth also works in the tourism industry where he is the maintenance man and gardener at Jumby Resort.

“Antigua, for me, is similar to Guyana in terms of our culture, custom and…our heritage is almost identical and we have a lot of entertainment and things here to make a living,” he said.

Haynesworth added that he is attracted to Antigua because of the opportunities and it is the main reason he is there, to earn because life there is comfortable for him but he stated that he will return to his homeland eventually.

He encouraged his fellow Guyanese to visit Antigua since the interaction with the locals is something to look forward to because the people are very friendly and welcoming to all.

“I like meeting people and in my job, the locals are very receptive so much so at one time we had about 10,000 Guyanese living here and that is how these people are here. They open their doors to you to welcome you and we co-exist in quiet harmony,” he said.

Antigua is home to scores of Guyanese, some of whom have their own small businesses and others work in the tourism and other industries.