A serene community on the rise

A COZY, quiet countryside is how most people would describe the community of Bamia. A small village on the outskirts of Linden, Bamia is a growing community. As more people venture into the village, newer and more advanced necessities are being added. Electricity, the development of a new well, and a surge of entrepreneurship are just a few of the things slated to happen in Bamia over the course of the next few years.

Seon Bakker came to the community of Bamia more than two decades ago. At the time, the village was a small settlement of a few families. Since then, there have been changes, shifting trends, and new impactful developments for the next generation. Over the last 20 years, however, Seon says the community has never lost the one thing that led him there in the first place: serenity.

Close-knit is an understatement when talking about Bamia. The majority of the estimated two hundred persons in the community are related. Apart from families, Bamia has a unique blend of people, with the community predominantly comprising Amerindian villagers.

According to villagers’ accounts, Bamia is larger than most people give it credit for. As Seon explained, the village is among the largest in the region in terms of land it occupies: “Bamia is a reasonably big area. It goes from Moblissa Junction all the way to the Linden turn. There’s an old map that marks part of the boundary. The land is vast, but it’s basically a small community.” Although not home to a big population, Bamia is a vital stop on most people’s way to Linden, offering creeks and neighbourhood shops.

Another interesting aspect of life in Bamia is its self-sustainability. The community houses a community centre and police outpost. Shops, farms, a church, as well as a masjid also make up the community. Apart from regularly rearing his sheep, Seon also plays the role of the village’s Imam. Seon did not have the luxury of smartphones as a child, which sparked his love for books and learning. As he stated, “I’m a community leader here. I converted to the Muslim faith when I was 11. I used to read a lot of books, which gave me a reservoir of knowledge.”

When he is not teaching others and playing an integral role in his community, Seon is a farmer. He rears sheep on his land at Bamia, raising them to be resold. Although the region is home to plenty of farming, Bamia seems to be the only village not on par with this. Seon says Bamia has great potential and few farmers; the community just needs some support. As he stated: “We have a community centre and some farms. There’s one farm over the hill. I used to have over a hundred animals, but now I just have a couple. I need some support, but there’s none anywhere.”

On the matter of livelihood, Bamia’s location gives villagers a unique assortment of jobs to choose from. Logging, mining, and farming are popular options. Jobs at local schools and health centres are also growing options among the community’s young people. However, employment can still be challenging. Seon explained, “Most people here are just trying to survive. Some work in the bush, but not many. A few months ago, we could get a man doing a little farming. But it’s never been anything big. They are just taking their lives day by day.”

Bamia is not much different from its neighbouring counterparts. With rich soil and captivating natural beauty, Bamia is overflowing with potential. Seon reflects: “Bamia has potential, but we need support. The land is here, the people are here, but we lack the resources. It’s a beautiful place with a lot of serenity.”

Seon says the serenity and uniqueness of Bamia make it special. The community has undeniably come a long way over the last few years. But it still has a long way to go. After receiving electricity in 2015, the community is now on the road to acquiring water with the construction of a new well. A new school is being built on the other end of the community. This will have a profound impact on the region’s education sector and, moreover, the country.
The small changes in Bamia are part of much larger changes happening throughout Guyana, making the country a better place one village at a time.