Sharing History and Changing Perception

By Shaniya Harding

WITHIN the heart of Georgetown lies a village whose name and history are known by most Guyanese — Albouystown. The stretch of land from La Penitence Market to Cemetery Road is often considered a part of Albouystown, one of the oldest communities in the country. With its frozen-in-time feel and charismatic residents, Albouystown is authentically Guyanese.

The community has come a far way throughout the years. Similar to many other places in Guyana, Albouystown was once a picture of fields, trenches and dams. One such canal that became somewhat of a local landmark is the famed ‘Punt Trench Dam’.

Today it is known as ‘Independence Boulevard’. One unique feature of Albouystown is its people. Even in the face of the negativity attached to their home, they assure that Albouystown is a place worth considering and they are working to make it better.

A little bit of history
Richard Allen’s moulding shop is in the centre of Aloustown on Sussex Street. Allen was born and raised in Belair Street, Albouystown and has had his business for more than 10 years in Sussex Street. And after more than 40 years, Richard says that there are very few things he hasn’t seen. He reminisces on the days when he and his friends would run barefoot in the streets of his neighbourhood.

“I was born and raised in Albouystown. I attended nursery school in Albouystown, on James Street, in the church. I know about being in Albouystown, coming out of my yard and going in the alley. And sitting down and playing cards with my friends. We used to sweep the alley and play cricket and run. That was back in those times,” he recalled. And although he hardly noticed when it happened, he is happy to see Albouystown go from trenches to boulevards.

Long ago in the colonial ages, similar to many other communities, Albouystown was a land of cane fields. And to transport the cane from place to place, they would use the famous ‘Punt Trenches’ to move cane shipments to manufacture the nation’s sugar.

This has left a mark on Guyana’s culture today, but few places feel it as much as Albouystown. For many years that followed, the Punt Trench was still present and very prominent until a few months ago. The government began its development initiative and turned the trench into Independence Boulevard.

But as changes happen, some things remain the same, says Richard. “Albouystown hasn’t changed. It’s just that some of the people change. Albouystown is still Albouystown, and it remains that way. Those are things I’ve seen too much of. But as of now, from the past, I’ve seen a lot of improvements. For instance, Independence Boulevard, I knew it when it was a trench. It really looks good,” he said.

Crime over the years
Stigma and words like ghetto are oftentimes heard in conversations about Albouystown. Similar to how the remnants of history have shaped the village of Albouystown, so have people’s words, rumours and beliefs. The opinion that Albouystown is dangerous goes outside of the community to neighbouring places like La Penitence and Charlestown. But in the same way people from these places would agree that, yes, crime has been an issue they just as honestly express that it is becoming less of a problem.

According to Richard and many of his neighbours, the crime situation is changing and so is the narrative. “In every area it has good and bad people. Back in the days, we had a lot of ‘choke and rob’, we don’t get that now in Albouystown,” Richard said.

Like Richard, Joel Blair has lived his entire life in Albouystown and has experienced his fair share of good and bad. Joel has made a living selling food on Sussex Street over the past four years, but unlike Richard, Joel admits to seeing quite a few instances of crime in the vicinity of his business.

Walking through the streets of Albouystown the Pepperpot team was greeted by many residents who were happy to share the story of their beloved village. From the La Pentiance Market to Cemetery Road, there is no fear of hostility but of togetherness and hospitality. The thought is more reinforced when persons from Albouystow speak of each other. Richard expressed, “When you come from Albouystown, no matter which part of the world you go and meet someone else from Albouystown, that love is always right there.”