– Kumaka resident hoping to rebuild

By Michel Outridge

KUMAKA Village has always been a peaceful and quiet place for Leslyn Couchman, but a fire last week spun her world out of control—now the 49-year-old is trying to rebuild, but she needs help to do so.
Couchman lost everything in the fire.

The mother of one stated that last Wednesday started as a normal day and she had completed most of her household chores. She then left two torchlights charging via a small solar panel and went by the Essequibo River to wash some clothes, but then disaster struck.

Couchman said that villagers hurried to inform her about the fire, but by the time she reached the house, it was already engulfed.

She watched in horror, helplessly, as her wooden cottage-style home disappeared.

“I lost everything, including two boat engines, two solar panels and all my household items, only the clothes on my back I was left with and I am staying with relatives, but I am not comfortable so I want back my own place.

“I am glad for any form of assistance to rebuild, so I can once again live with my child,” she said.

HELP FOR PENSIONERS

Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met another resident, Victorine De Camp, a mother of six, who was there on behalf of her ailing and elderly parents, who reside a few villages away.

She disclosed that it is difficult for her sick parents to go by boat to Parika to uplift their monthly pensions.

“The money they get from the pension is used to pay a boat to take them and bring them….”

De Camp is of the view that persons like her elderly parents should be able to access their pension payment in the village or at least at a nearby place.

MORE TRANSPORTATION WOES

Another resident, Winston Lobert, told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been residing at Arawari Creek, Essequibo River for the past 12 years and has found life difficult.

He sees transportation as a major issue. It is $3000 one-way to go to and from Kumaka by boat and most people cannot afford it.

Lobert is a cattle and cash-crop farmer, who is rearing some chickens, goats and cows.

“Being a farmer is a hard task because you have to contend with so many hardships in this riverine village where we lack a lot,” he said.

Lobert reported that it is closer to shop at Supenaam, but at times, they have to go to Parika, as well.

The 40-year-old added that he also cultivates ground provisions, so he has more ways of earning, some people are not as lucky.

SCHOOL REPAIRS AND PROPER HEALTH CARE

Shellisa Nelson, a mother of two, reported that her son attends the nursery school at Caria Caria, but prior to the closure of school, he had developed a rash from the animal’s droppings.

The 26-year-old added that with school out due to the epidemic, her son is healing.

“Access to proper health care here is non-existent and we have to go far to get medical attention,” she said.

Nelson disclosed that they would have to go to Fort Island or to Parika to get medical attention, which is a strain on their pockets.