‘That’s how we live; we help out one another’

THE bright, winding streets bustling with a captivating mix of people and booming entrepreneurship are just a few things that draw people into the community of Swan. Located just off the Linden Highway, the village has seen tremendous development in recent years. But the community’s step forward goes far beyond infrastructure. The community has grown, and it continues to break barriers.

Swan originated as an Amerindian community founded on agriculture. Today, the village has changed since its inception several decades ago. As it is known today, Swan was once in a different location, an area the residents call ‘Old Swan.’ Although popular, Old Swan has its fair share of challenges but still saw a growing population. The recently populated area is interestingly called New Swan. This very name shapes the community. Swan today is one of the most rapidly growing villages in the region. And as the people continue to come, so does change.

Old Swan
Many villagers described Old Swan as being more reminiscent of a forest rather than a community. Villagers like Rouel Bowerie say that land clearing was the biggest issue facing new settlers. As he stated, “When we first came here, it was just plenty of bush. We had to chop and clear the land; here was like a forest.” Today, Swan is the furthest thing from what was. The village paints a picture of a welcoming suburban neighbourhood. With its quiet, clear streets and picturesque surroundings, Swan has undoubtedly become one of the best places to raise a family.

This is a sentiment Rouel shares. The Pepperpot Magazine came across him and his family hanging by the pool of their New Swan home. Although Rouel and his family’s decision to move into the village is new, Rouel said that he has had a longstanding relationship with the community. He explained that he would constantly visit the community over the years and always saw the appeal in calling it home. It wasn’t until recently, however, with the village’s newest additions and developments, that the decision to move permanently was made. As Rouel shares, “I had this land in Swan since I was 17. I am 35 now. I used to come here, but it was just recently that we made the decision to move.”

Community Changes
Swan is one of the most peaceful communities in Guyana. A quick stroll around the village is sure to relax any

one. Perhaps it is just the red highway sand or the smiling people, but the village has a welcoming nature to it. This welcoming nature has been accompanied by development and changes, making the community a great choice for trying families like Rouel’s. Recent developments include the community’s new nursery, primary schools, and health centre. State-of-the-art facilities, both schools and the health centre are already set to open this year. Both facilities are staffed with professionals, giving rise to Swan’s own teachers and health workers. These new additions are the driving force behind Rouel’s decision to stay.

“When I first came here, we did not have all these things. We did not have roads and so on. But now we get schools and health centres. At first, I did not want to stay, but as things change and get better, I say, I will stay,” Rouel said. This sentiment goes a long way. Development does more than improve life for those already in the community. But change also creates space for others to settle and find opportunities. The people of Swan are opportunist in nature as well. The village has become littered with dozens of small businesses of different natures, but all very creative entrepreneurial endeavours.

Economics in a Growing Community
Swan has evolved to take steps towards self-sustainability. This is a tall order and an impressive mission. Villagers try to provide for their families as close to home as possible. Rouel, for instance, works as a bus driver. He stated that although many people seek work outside of the community, just as many are seeking their means closer to home. As he shared, plenty of the people here go outside of the village to work. But in the meantime, we have a lot of other factories coming in. We have factories that do blocks and another that does scrap iron and even a coconut factory. At least there are people who are getting jobs there.”

One of the unique things about the village of Swan is its people. With the rapid growth of the community comes vast diversity. The village is home to approximately a thousand people. These people come from all corners of Guyana and all backgrounds. Each individual has their own gifts and personalities. Whereas many people think this a less-than-ideal situation, it has fostered a rich sense of community rooted in acceptance and collaboration. As Rouel explained, “We live in a village where we try to communicate with everybody. If I have transportation and you want to go out and I’m going, I will carry you. That’s how we live; we help out one another.”