A sense of community unlike any other

MANY communities are founded by a group of people who share a common past and will eventually share a common future. The village community of Moblissa, however, has a slightly different history. Moblissa hosts a diverse mix of people who seem to come from all corners of Guyana. The diverse people make for a unique make-up of villagers and it would seem as though it makes for a strong bond among the people, who, over time, became a community.

The village of Moblissa is located along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. With an estimated population of 300 or more persons, Moblissa is a community of farmers. The village is home to a school, a health centre, and countless farms stretching out on either side of the Moblissa road.

The drive in from the highway takes about 20 minutes before the first home in Moblissa is seen and another half an hour before reaching the community’s primary school. The Pepperpot Magazine caught up with two Moblissa villagers. They said that the village has its struggles and challenges, but it also has its strengths and a captivating character to it; one that turns strangers into friends, who eventually call Moblissa home.

Lennox Stuart came to Moblissa over 15 years ago. He was initially brought to the community as part of his work at an agricultural firm and more than a decade later, he has remained in Moblissa. One of the greatest aspects of Moblissa that captivated him was its people.

He stated: “I came to Moblissa because GIT employed me as caretaker for the farm. I came here in 2012. And I met the people here, and I got to know them.” He explained that the interactions he has had with his fellow villagers are what motivated his decision to stay. Some years ago, Lennox cooperated with a few fellow community members to form Moblissa’s first policing group. He said that, “They launched the policing group over 10 years ago, and since it was launched, we have been the pioneers of it even up until now.” And with his place cemented in the community, Lennox is sure he will continue to call Moblissa home.

Collen Marks is a friend of Lennox and a long-standing community member of Moblissa. She has called Moblissa home for more than two decades after she and her family moved there. “I followed my father. He first came here, and he gave me a place here in Moblissa. And I have lived here for 23 years,” Coleen stated.

The issues surrounding youths are etched in many villages around Guyana. And it seems as though Moblissa is no different. Lennox, who works at the Moblissa Primary School, explains that the village has a high rate of high school dropouts. “Moblissa has some very nice people. They have a committee, and it is like time has forgotten it. But the community needs lots of help. We have school dropouts and issues with the youths,” Lennox stated

Collen echoed his sentiments. Coleen is also a mother and explained that young people are forced to leave the community in search of jobs. The community has seen young men, particularly, going into the interior for long periods. “Our concern is that we have youths here but we do not have jobs for them here. So, they have to go out and look for work in places far away like the interior,” the villager said.

The increase in the number of young people leaving the community profoundly affects the village’s population. As Coleen explained, “I do not think that Moblissa has a hundred households, and people are leaving from those households. I have five sons and four of they go out and work far away in the interior and sometimes it takes them three months to come back home,” Coleen stated.

Moblissa is still one of the more popular villages located along the highway. But for the majority of years it has been in existence, it has remained unchanged. “Since I have been here for all those years, I have not seen any changes. It has always been the same old Moblissa,” Coleen said. Because the community does not have any electricity, most of the population depends on solar electricity, and due to their lack of water, they depend on creeks or generators and pumps for water, while very few go to the well.

Regardless, the community continues to strive. Farming continues to grow in Moblissa. Meanwhile, the people of the community continue to live as automatically as possible. Lennox said that Moblissa is just a great place to live to be in tune with nature and with agriculture among the good people of Moblissa. He said that, “One of the things I like about the village is that it has a nice farming environment and a nice living environment. The neighbours are very quiet. That is what I like about the village; it is quiet and it has a lot of space to plant,” He stated. Although not perfect, with its own set of issues, Moblissa is still a beautiful place. And there does not seem to be a villager that would live anywhere else.