– Serving the people through community-based projects

Rishee Thakur returned to Guyana in 1993 after residing overseas for some time and he began some community work that is, the development of the #68 Village cricket ground and community centre.

Although he is living in #69 Village he however, originated from #68 Village and wanted to assist the locals by way of a community centre ground which was once a dumpsite.

The community centre is a fenced plot that has a cricket pitch, a pavilion and washroom facilities.

It is located next door to the #68 Village Primary School and a groundsman takes care of the centre which was recently weeded.

According to Thakur, who is a professor at Tain University, the plot had to be fenced because of the animals such as the pigs.

He disclosed that the centre was named after a resident, who was a cricketer and the community project which he initiated was funded by overseas-based Guyanese, some of whom once lived in the village and wanted to give back.

Untrue to reports that the centre is often locked and residents cannot access it for recreational purposes, Thakur stated that the yard had grass and since the pandemic no games were played there.

He added that residents have access since the groundsman is from the village and he has the keys to the community centre.

Thakur explained that he started the project in 2014 when he called a village meeting to hear the concerns of the villagers and it was decided that a community centre is needed as such the dump was cleared and the project kicked off with a bang.

He stated that the dumpsite had large pieces of furniture, fridges, stoves and other metals and he had to get the services of a backhoe to clear the refuse before the land was prepared.

Thakur said it took four days and four hours for the garbage alone to be cleared.

He pointed out that since 1952 the same plot of land was air-marked as a playfield but it was never developed.

Thakur added that three houses occupy at least 12 feet inside the play field at present and there have been some issues.

The professor reported that he is from the village and he played cricket in his young days for the community and he is no stranger to the place as is assumed by the people.

Funds are often garnered through donations for the upkeep of the community centre and Thakur would often put his own money as well.

“The overseas donors would like to visit for the re-opening of the community centre but COVID-19 happened so that was put on hold like a lot of other things,” he said.

The volunteer, social worker
Meanwhile, Pamela Francis is a retired Social Worker and she has been living in the village for the past 50 years.

The 62-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is originally from Essequibo and moved there after marriage.

The mother of six stated that the place is ideal for a good family life because things are simple there but one must be employed to live comfortably.

She is part of the community development group and would offer her services as a volunteer and has been in community work for the past 20 years.

Francis retired as a Social Worker five years ago and since her door is always opened to members of the public for counselling or just a pep talk at any time.

She was a councillor and is also involved in community work at the 68 Primary School.

Francis is an elder in the village, well-known and respected and had dedicated her life towards serving the community because it is her passion and she likes to reach out to people and have some form of interaction.

“Life here is peaceful and I like it here because of the countryside setting, it is a farming village and the people here are hard workers,” she said.

Francis reported that the village has 550 houses with just about 1,500 residents most of whom are rice farmers and a squatting area bordered by the eastern and western sections of the village.