By Michel Outridge

UPPER Bonasika Creek is a tributary of the Essequibo River and it runs for miles way into the savannahs; it is home to mostly Indo-Guyanese and the last village before the five-door sluice is home to Amerindian settlers.

Upper Bonasika Village has about 100 families who are farmers, labourers and fishermen.

It is a peaceful and tranquil community where the people co-exist in harmony and respectfully go about their daily lives.

The Pepperpot Magazine visited the home of a resident, Bishane Lochan, who is a member of the Community Policing Group (CPG) and a farmer.

Even though the houses are far apart, the villagers are familiar with each other and work with each other.

Upper Bonasika Creek has two health outposts, a nursery and a primary school and a few riverside shops, but most people would make the journey to Parika for their wholesale shopping such as buying fuel for their boats everyday use.

“We cannot afford to buy gasoline in here because it is expensive and not pocket-friendly; and we use the boat every day to get around,” Lochan said.

The CPG has a boat and an engine for night patrols and to ensure that the residents in this riverine community can sleep in peace without having to worry about their property.

Lochan reported that from his home, the CPG outpost is about two miles away and they work collectively with the Guyana Police Force.

“We don’t have a lot of social issues, just a few complaints of domestic problems but no real problems that require outside assistance,” he said.

The farmer added that he has a plot where he cultivates pumpkins, cassava, limes, bananas, pineapples, ginger, corn and avocados, among other crops.

Lochan stated that he can afford to employ only one labourer, who is from within the village, a family-oriented man.

He is a local who has lived his entire life in Upper Bonasika Creek and before he was born his parents resided there.

“I am living here for 63 years and this place is the same, but some new people came into the village, but most of the residents are from here,” he said.

The father of two disclosed that the Lower Bonasika Creek needs a boat and engine to assist the schoolchildren to get to and from school, because it is costly for parents to transport them out of their own pockets.

A private service was utilised to transport schoolchildren, to which a daily cost was attached and many people can’t afford it, because to live in the river is very expensive,” he said.

Lochan is also an advocate for his community and would also participate in many self-help activities to enhance the community.

His house and yard are well-kept and clean with lots of plants and flowers to beautify the environment.

Lochan and his family are very welcoming and friendly people, who do not get a lot of visitors.