By Michel Outridge

KENSHA Williams is a young resident of Morashee Village, East Bank Essequibo, who said the village is large but the population is very small since a lot of people left because the village is accessible only by boat due to the mud dam.

The 17-year-old reported that a lot of parents found it costly to send their children to school via boat, so they relocated to other areas which have schools nearby and to get better facilities.

In the section where she lives, there are only 10 families, most of whom are related and they find it difficult to leave their village because it is not pocket-friendly.

“Opportunities in this village doesn’t present itself so we have to go out to look for things to do to empower ourselves to learn a skill or trade to make a living as we grow out of school,” she said.

She is a student of Parika/Salem Secondary School and has been home since the pandemic last year and is looking for a job.

Williams has three brothers and three sisters, most of whom are adults and due to difficulty of not getting jobs, her brothers had to venture to the interior for work as miners.

She is a local of Morashee Village who spent all her life in this riverine community and would only go out when it is worthwhile.

The Pepperpot Magazine met another young lady, Magnleine Harry, who has a bubbly personality and was seated among some villagers at the Morashee Health Post.

The 17-year-old stated that she is from Bendroff Village, which is next door and she is doing the Board of Industrial Training (BIT) cosmetology classes at Fort Island, Essequibo River.

She goes to classes five days per week and so far, it has been quite interesting, because she is learning and she likes it.

The next step is to learn about being a nail technician and a hairdresser.

Nevila Harry stated that she is also attending BIT classes and is very interested in cosmetology, a skill she will acquire and open her own small business to earn.

The 15-year-old reported that the classes take up their time during the day and it is very good and gives her something to do.

She has been at classes for the past two months.

Then there is Tiffany Williams who spends her time reading and listening to new music.

The 18-year-old said she is also attending BIT classes at Fort Island, Essequibo River, some distance away and is only accessible by boat.

She has three sisters and three brothers, all of whom are grown and are seeking employment.

“Attending this beautician classes has given me hope of having my own small business one day and that is reassuring, because here there is nothing to do except be a farmer and I want to do something with my life,” she said.

Harry believes that the classes will help her to realise her true potential, since she has never been exposed to any formal training and she is of the hope that she will be successful.