THE mining town of Linden – a town of friendly, bustling people, busy streets, long drives up and down hills and inevitably, bauxite mining. Linden is one of Guyana’s biggest towns and is known today as a place where people visit their relatives, tourists visit surrounding lakes, and the people are all one big happy family.

As a town where one of the country’s earliest industries developed, Linden has a rich history. Every village, from Fair’s Rust to Richmond hill, to Watooka and Coomacka, has its own individual histories and stories surrounding the founding and development of the community.

Over the years, Linden has seen a shift in more businesses, complemented by a growing population and changing trends. The Pepperpot Magazine spoke to a few of Linden’s youths, who explained that Linden is a place where people make their own entertainment and fun.

They shared that with a neighbour or friend, a street corner or a shop front, good vibes and maybe some music, they find entertainment and joy with each other. Young people, like Callisa Lewis, have a profound and deep-rooted admiration for their community, but are finding the task of getting employed a bit of a challenge.

Callisa, a teacher at the Mackenzie Primary School, says there are not many options job-wise. She stated that, “There aren’t many things to do. I became a teacher because it was either this or nursing, and I chose teaching.” She is, however, happy teaching as she says that the people of the community are what she loves most.

Callisa, who has lived in Linden her entire life, said, “I would describe the people of Linden as peaceful and friendly. Most of the people are also very hard working.” The 24-year-old says that as much as living in Linden has its struggles, so does everywhere else, and she will always proudly call the community home.

A group of young men sharing a loud, exciting conversation or a few young women having a conversation is a norm in most places. But a group of older folks all sitting together, sharing the week’s occurrences, updates, and a few jokes is a unique sight- and it makes for some unique conversations.

The outside of a pharmacy in central Linden is a regular hangout spot for several seniors. Among them was Kenneth Belle, who, like the few young people, thinks that job opportunities are needed to see Linden move forward. He stated that “We have to make Linden more viable by providing jobs for people.”

Joycelyn Benjamin is well-known around the locality for her friendliness. Born and raised in Linden, she stated that her love for her home primarily comes from her love for the people. “I was born and grew up in Linden, so I like Linden. Linden people are very nice people. Linden is a very nice place, and everybody looks out for each other,” she stated.

Allison Gillis is a spritely 80-year-old who has lived in Linden since 1962. “Linden people are very down to earth,” she told The Pepperpot Magazine. Her friend, Margaret Payne, has also resided in Linden for many years. Margaret spent most of her life and placed most of her roots down in Linden. She shared that, “I love Linden. I went to school here. I worked and then I got married and had my children here, so I just love Linden.”

Robert Melville is 71 years old and grew up like any young man of his time. He spent many days running and playing on the streets of Linden while the bauxite business was new and enticing. He described Linden in years gone as being quieter, more tranquil and a place where children played in the rain and swam in the canals.

Most of the older folks the Pepperpot Magazine spoke to undoubtedly believe that Linden has drastically changed, but a few things have remained the same. Whether people come seeking work in a bauxite mine as they did in the past or they come as tourists to visit the town and the surrounding lakes, people are simply drawn to the town that is Linden.

Although there are things that Lindeners believe could be improved, they also believe with far more certainty that Linden is a special- almost magical -place, because when you ask someone living in Linden, Amelia’s Ward, Kara Kara or simply any of the neighbouring villages if they think they would ever leave, the answer is always the same: there is no place they would rather call home.