How one little commmunity is navigating change

LA GRANGE is one of those quiet communities that hundreds of people traverse every single day, but very few take the time to stop by. The community is located along the West Bank of the Demerara River. Home to several hundred people, the community has a vibrant mix of people of all races from all corners of Guyana. The community lies south of the Demerara Harbour Bridge, in the centre of the region’s development. The West of Demerara is undergoing major developmental works presently with the addition of massive linkage highways to a new state-of-the-art four-lane bridge. However, a few questions remain about a community changing as quickly as in La Grange. How will the massive change impact the community? Has the development impacted the village at all? And what impact do the changes have on the people of the community?
A deep agricultural past.

La Grange is a massive community covering several miles along the bank. This week, the Pepperpot Magazine focused on one of the most popular aspects of the community, Independence Street. Popularly known as Middle Dam, Independence Street is one of the oldest settlements on the West Side. Tucked away in a close-knit street in La Grange, just off the Harbour Bridge, Independence Street has seen change first-hand. The community has agricultural roots that have evolved into a major linkage path and continue to stand on the cusp of development.

Issaac Bhagwandin’s home stands out among the other houses on Independence Street. A Justice of the Peace, Issaac has been an integral player and pillar of the community. Born and raised in Middle Dam, he says that the village most know today is very different from the one he knew as a boy. “As a young man, we had mud roads. Then they used to throw sand and burn bricks on the road. In comparison today we have a very good road. The only little issue about it is that the road is a bit narrow. Because many persons have vehicles, there is traffic congestion, and when two vehicles have to pass, pedestrians have to step off.”

Although it lies in the centre of industrial development, Independence Street has always been an agricultural community. Currently, the village is still home to a large number of farmers. Issaac says this is nothing new. Independence street has always been a farming area, a community where almost everything was homegrown, and people survived on their own produce. As Issaac shared, “ It’s a highly agricultural area. Years ago it was rice, then we changed to sugarcane. Farmers do not really do rice anymore. Many do the cash crops, cattle rearing, poultry rearing and these sorts of things. The farmers would have to depend heavily on blackwater for many years, but because of the development of the housing scheme, I think they are now working to bring back irrigation water for the farmers.”

Drainage is something else the community is working on. Independence Street is unique in the way of community leadership. Although small in comparison to some of the larger communities in Guyana, Independence Street seems to have the most dedicated people as villagers. Issaac is just one of the many community leaders the village has. The council’s most recent endeavour is drainage and irrigation. As he stated, “Our drainage system is, I would say, 80% up. We are having regular maintenance done. Every month the government is throwing in its lot to help the NDC and the  community.”

Issaac and many of his fellow villagers consider Independence Street a haven. As Issaac shared, “I love La Grange. I grew up here. I was thinking years ago of migrating, but I love my country Guyana. Thanks to, when I was  young, I got free education. I am presently serving as a divisional chairman in the security sector.” As chairman of the community, Issaac has always strived to help develop his community in any way possible. As he shared, “ I always say one thing. Guyana has offered me a lot and I have never regretted giving up these voluntary services. In this life, sometimes we have to show respect for what we receive and what we should give back. And so I want to encourage not only the people in La Grange, but the country is moving at a pace.”

His message to the rest of Guyana is simple. For many years, Independence Street faced many issues with infrastructure, employment, and overall quality of life. But change comes in small steps, says Issaac. And all we, as Guyanese, can do is be patient and continue to champion for our country and communities. “We must be patient, and things are going to happen. We are one people, one nation with one destiny. God bless Guyana.”