Serving the people of Aliki Village while wearing many hats

AS leader/chairman of the community and the health worker, Roy Crighton of Aliki Village, located on the right bank of the Essequibo River, is utilising the resources at hand to serve the people and provide healthcare services to the best of his ability.

The resident of Aliki Village stated that the people of the village are mainly of mixed race, with just about 200 people, whose livelihoods come from farming. He pointed out that recently they have been experiencing a lot of rainy conditions and they have had cases with flu-like symptoms that are associated with seasonal illnesses.

Crighton added that with the pandemic they have all health protocols in place and he has been doing his bit to promote handwashing practices and also sensitise villagers of the novel Coronavirus COVID-19. The Community Health Worker related that with Aliki Village being a farming community, they depend on the rainfall and water irrigation system via the canal to keep their crops healthy, but a check sluice is needed.

Crighton pointed out that the current koker has not been functioning for the past six years and the farmers have a lot of challenges accessing their farms and getting their produce out. He disclosed that Aliki Village also needs potable water supply and mostly rainfall water is used for consumption and cooking.

The father of four told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is originally from Hog Island, also in the Essequibo River but relocated to Aliki Village many years ago. He has been the Community Health Worker for the past 20 years and is also the Chairman of the village Land Coop Society, for just a year now.

Crighton reported that they have a tide system and when the water is low they cannot travel to take out their produce via boat. He disclosed that the youths of high school age often leave the village to attend secondary schools further afield and it has caused the migration of many families.

Crighton stated that with the limited facilities the youths do engage in cricket and football at the small playground at the back of the school. “We need the boat landing to be extended, a working sluice to control the drainage system and the renovation of the Health Centre which is in dire need of repairs,” he said.

Crighton told the Pepperpot Magazine that at the Aliki Community Health Centre they offer primary health care services with a five-day a week schedule. Being the lone employee of the facility he has a ‘tall’ order to fulfil and it was evident during the team’s visit. He has to see patients, dispense drugs and do everything that needs to be done to keep the health centre operational.

Crighton revealed that he would often see a lot of patients with cold and flu, vomiting and diarrhoea and at present, there is a drug shortage at the health centre and is trying with limited supplies. He pointed out that Morashee Village is the nearest health centre and at Aliki Community Health Centre they offer services in ante-natal, out-patient, child health and chronic diseases clinic.

The Community Health Worker reported that they have three churches in the village and it provides a place of worship for the locals. Crighton stated that the young people between the ages of 14 to 20 years old also benefit from a training programme offered by the Basic Needs Trust Fund (BNTF) in boat building and small boat engine repairs.

He disclosed that some young men have left the village in search of work in the interior while, others remain. Crighton stated that the children need an ICT hub since they need access to a reliable cell phone network. “We are, however, thankful to miner, Dave Scott for providing a boat and engine for the schoolchildren to get to and from schools and it is a blessing to this village and we, the people appreciate it very much,” he said.

Crighton also reported that an all-weather walkway is needed because when it rains the place is very muddy. He, like many residents of Aliki Village, is very grateful for the government’s COVID-19 cash grant relief of $25,000 per household. The village has four teachers and they promote learning with worksheets in small groups despite the pandemic.