By Michel Outridge

THE Pepperpot Magazine also visited River’s View Mission, Lower Bonasika, a tributary of the Essequibo River.

It is a riverine community accessible only by boat and it is not unusual to see residents paddling small boats to get from one point to another.

It is an Amerindian village with about 170 families and the main source of income for villagers is farming. Villagers came from Region One (Barima-Waini) many years ago in search of a better life.

River’s View Mission is located about six miles from Parika by boat and from the Hubu Koker, East Bank Essequibo, it is about three miles via boat. River’s View is the home of plantains, bananas, and ground provisions.

Toshao of the village, Stafford Williams, is also the preacher at one of two churches on the mission and he is attached to Life Spring Ministries. Williams related that the people are simple and they life a secluded life among themselves.

He stated that this year due to the pandemic, they will not be having any gatherings such as the celebration of Amerindian Heritage Month and some people are disappointed, but there is nothing that can be done.

Annually, the villagers would organise a cultural event to showcase their talents and cuisine, which would be on sale. Dishes include wild meat Pepperpot, tuma pot, cassava bread, and Amerindian beverages which are home-made.

Usually, no alcohol is allowed with the exception of Amerindian beverages and even visitors cannot bring alcohol there.

Toshao Williams keeps a close watch on things and ensures there aren’t any conflicts among the people and looks after the interests of the villagers.

Coincidentally, the same day the Pepperpot Magazine visited, the village leader had received overseas donations of clothing, foodstuff and toys for the residents which were parcelled and distributed.

He explained that the needy would first benefit from the donations and it is an annual gesture from their overseas brothers and sisters in Christ.

Williams related that he is originally from Moruca, North West District, but relocated to River’s View Mission 14 years ago.

He is among the first set of people who moved there and has been the village leader for 11 years, when the elder one passed away and he was elected by the people to function in that capacity.

The nearest health post is at Morashee Village, also a riverine community.

They have a nursery and primary school at Lower Bonasika, a short distance away and the nearest secondary school is at Parika.

Williams disclosed that they have no internet signals there, except those on cellphones and often they would have to climb a tree, or go to higher ground to get signals on both networks.

He added that the women of River’s View are housewives and they engage in craft and cassava bread making.

The men would go out to work and the young people are also active in mining and working on farms.

“We have no connection to the outside world and we need to know what’s going on in terms of news and education, so there is a need for an ICT hub in the village which is remote,” he said.

He pointed out that a few years ago through a grant from the Ministry of Amerindian Affairs, they made a concrete strip which runs through the village and serves as a walkway.

Before, it was a muddy pathway and when it rained it was difficult to manoeuvre in and out of the village.

The riverine community has a landing with a bridge and it is safe for villagers to get in and out via boat.

The settlers of River’s View are from the Carib and Warrau tribes and the older folk, who were the first inhabitants, have since passed away with just about four elders who are still around.

Williams told the Pepperpot Magazine that only four elders still speak the dialect and they are in their 80s and 70s.

River’s View has a boat and engine gifted by the ministry, but the engine is now down.

The community also benefits from an annual grant of $800,000 to boost infrastructure and improve the needs of the people.