Maintaining diversity amidst development

THE community of Swan is perhaps one of the oldest and most well-known villages along the Soesdyke-Linden Highway. Home to approximately 1,000 people, Swan continues to see its population grow on the back of development. Beginning as an Amerindian community, the village has evolved to become a richly diverse place. People from all walks of life have ventured into the community in search of new opportunities. Swan has seen a plethora of changes in recent times.

Facilities such as education and health have been brought into the community. As the village’s leaders continue to strive for development, they also emphasise what has already been accomplished. Swan, like so many other Guyanese communities, has seen change because of the passion and drive of its people. The Pepperpot Magazine sat down with the community’s Community Development Council Chairman to discuss Swan’s next steps.
Swan’s development through the years.
The village of Swan is among the first communities along the highway. Venturing into the community would take one down a mile-long road. Although not in central Georgetown, because of its location, Swan is considered far more accessible than its counterparts. The Chairman of the community, Finton Rajonauth, is a longtime resident of Swan. “Our community is located in a very popular area; we are very close to Georgetown,” said the Chairman, underscoring the village’s convenient location.

Swan is among Guyana’s growing communities. With growth comes diversity. The Chairman and the rest of the village welcome the change. “So far, our population in this community should be now close to 1,000. The past two years, our census was 795,” shared the Chairman. He stated that perhaps one of the reasons people are seeking to settle in the community is due to its new necessities. “The place is a very quiet place; we have in the school. We received a new school too not too long ago, a few, I think it was a year and a few months.”

Swan is known to be among the oldest Amerindian community. However, the village has seen unprecedented success and change throughout the last few years. One of these changes is the addition of the nursery and primary school. “The nursery school is now finishing; also, I think it is finished, ready to open, and that is very good, and that is something really nice for our village,” the Chairman called this a big step for the community. As he further added, “We don’t have to go out to meet health; we don’t have to go to meet education. We have it right here in our village.”

Water is another hurdle the community has overcome in recent times. Although it is located just a few miles from Soesdyke, Swan did not have a functioning water system for many years. This issue has been resolved, much to the appreciation of the villagers. The Chairman shared that, “We have received better water systems over the past few years. Before, we had to use water from the creek or stream. Then, Food for the Poor provided a small well, and we had some standpipes. Residents had to come and access water to drink. Now, we have received a bigger well, so the water situation has become a little bit easier for us within Swan.”

Challenges in the Community of Swan
However, with great development come a few new issues. One of the biggest challenges the village is now facing is overpopulation. Swan was home to no more than five to six hundred people for many years. This number has jumped to an estimated thousand in the past two years. Although new people may not be a challenge on its own, coupled with the community’s limited land, it is becoming a struggle for Swan. The village covers a plot of land 40 acres wide and, as much as the growth is welcomed, finding space for the growing population is becoming an issue.

As the Chairman explained, “Right now, we have more than one extended family sometimes in one home.” He further added that, “We are stifling right now with the population. We have more than one extended family sometimes in one home, and that can be very difficult.” However, the council does have a plan to deal with the matter of land.

The Chairman explained that he and his council are working toward developing a plan with land surveyors and the necessary ministries to get an extension to the community. Although they have not been successful in their endeavours yet, the council is hopeful. Swan is home to many entrepreneurs and small businesses. With land acquisition, the council believes that economic endeavours will reach new heights. Agriculture is also a major plotting point for Swan, as the Chairman stated, “I would like if they could see, whatever I have seen here today, that it is very difficult to really get an extension. I think we need farmland; we need agriculture.”