Being one of a handful of residents who are mostly related in Volkr’s Lust Village, East Canje, Berbice, Pandit Ravi Shaimsundar is well-known as the Hindu priest in his village.

He related that the village was once populated but due to the state of the road and the lack of basic necessities such as, potable water and electricity, a lot of people moved away for a better life.

Shaimsundar stated that the road was, however, upgraded to an all-weather road in 2012, and things were a bit better in terms of traversing.

He stated that they have solar panels outfitted with lights for the night since they have no electricity and the creek water is pumped into their homes to be used for household chores.

Drinking water is filled up at Adelphi Village, where there is a Guyana Water Inc. (GWI) Well Station with treated water.

The Pandit reported that his parents are from the village and he lived most of his adult life there.

His family used to reside at Non Pareil, East Coast Demerara but relocated when he was a boy.

It has been 42 years in the village, and his house is located on a turn where his brother’s residence is and next to his house is that of his uncle.

There are only three houses in that section of the village, but in total there are about 20 houses.

Most of the people are rice, and cash crops farmers and some have cattle and poultry.

Shaimsundar has a mandir in New Forest Village, the last community on that stretch of road and he would also perform religious services at janhdis and other events based on invitations and requests.

He is a rice farmer and works part-time, at nights at the New Forest Pump Station and also has a kitchen garden of cash crops for the kitchen.

The father of two told the Pepperpot Magazine that life is fair there, but the lack of internet services is very costly on his pockets since both his sons are in high school.

They have no other choice than to activate the monthly data plan for their children to benefit from online classes.

The Pandit disclosed that Volkr’s Lust Village is about eight and a half miles drive to New Amsterdam, and they would make the journey when necessary.

“I like it here because of the quiet peacefulness, and there is a lot of space and it is very breezy. We have space to plant and accommodate our poultry and livestock and there is still space for our rice farming,” he said.

Shaimsundar stated that if they benefit from electricity and potable water supply, their lives will be significantly enhanced, and there is a great need for internet services or an ICT hub for the school children.

“We don’t have thieves, per say, they don’t break in, but some people would come at the back here to take away our cows, so we have to be vigilant at nights,” he said.

The Hindu priest reported that through self-help methods, they would clear the bushes along the main access road and clean the drains.

Shaimsundar added that he was told the village doesn’t come under any Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), and the nearest one is at Canefield/Enterprise village.

He added that the onus is on the regional administration and the Ministry of Public Works to maintain the road and other infrastructural works within the village, an agricultural-based community.

Despite the challenges of not having regular internet like other people in developed villages and COVID-19, one of his two sons gained 10 subjects at CSEC and is aiming to sit CAPE.

Shaimsundar told the Pepperpot Magazine that most people in the village, that is, the men have more than one job.

He stated that they do many things to earn an honest dollar. They depend heavily on their livestock and poultry and their rice cultivation for a steady income since there are not many jobs there.

The Pandit added that the people are simple and hardworking, utilising their resources to earn.

He pointed out that the people are neighbourly and hardly ever have time to idle since farmers have so much to do.