TUCBER is a community with its people as its heart. The bright community continues to blossom as a slew of new projects, developmental and otherwise, make their way into the community. Today, the community is a model residential area, with the council seeking to introduce numerous new aspects to the community.

But the village is more than meets the eye and has come an incredibly long way from its earliest days. Beginning simply as a humble settlement, Tucber is said to have played an integral role in the region’s history. This week, the Pepperpot Magazine sat down with one of the community leaders, Gail Williams, to better understand how far Tucber has come and how much more the community plans to go.

Gail was born and raised in Tucber and sits on the community development council. As a child, Gail and countless other neighbourhood children heard the stories about the origin of their beloved community. As she explained, “Our parents told us it was a community that came from self-help. It was a small village with a few people who helped one another, and eventually, the village grew, and more people came in and so on.”

As a community built by the people for the people, villagers have a profound appreciation for each other. As Gail explained, the village continuously works towards development in any way possible. “So far, in our communities, it’s quite a peaceful area. The only problem is sometimes we have drainage issues, a little bush, and some mosquitoes because we’re close to the sea in the saltwater communities, but we have plans in place for that.”

She further stated that those issues were being resolved by the council and community members with everyone chipping in with their own skills. One of the major focuses for the community is the youth. With a population of three thousand, young people make up a large part of the population. With this in mind, the community’s leaders, who are also villagers, have chartered an in-depth plan for youth development working alongside the government of Guyana. As she stated, “We have a plan, especially for youths. We look to the government for leadership. If you give them a little stipend, we have a proposal for sewing. Women could go and sew. We have a lot of things going on in the plan.”

Fixing the village’s infrastructure is also on the bucket list of community developments. As Gail explains, “We’re working towards improving the community. We’ve made a proposal plan to the government to give us a system for cleaning up these areas. So we can employ people within the community to do jobs like cleaning up the community.”

Tucber has various landmarks that showcase the village’s rich history and ongoing development. Talking about the famed Canje Creek, Gail stated, “This water is constantly running, and it’s clean. There are people who clean the canal.” This simple observation highlights the community’s commitment to maintaining its infrastructure while providing residents employment opportunities.

Like so many of the village’s people, Gail’s pride in her community is particularly evident when she discusses the ongoing efforts to combat environmental challenges. “There are people along the river that help keep it clean. In our community here in Tucber, we have some people who clean our drains.” She explained the meticulous work required to maintain the village’s drainage system and reduce mosquito breeding grounds.

The community development council, with dedicated members like Gail, has put forward a comprehensive 10-step intervention plan addressing various aspects of community life. From youth programmes and senior care to employment initiatives and regional cooperation, the plan demonstrates a holistic approach to community development.

Gail emphasises the importance of community feedback and ongoing dialogue in shaping Tucber’s future. “We’re always listening to our residents,” she says. Tucber is a shining example of what can be achieved when a community comes together with a shared vision. From its humble beginnings as a self-help settlement to its current status as a thriving residential area, Tucber’s journey is a testament to its people’s resilience, determination, and collaborative spirit.

As new projects and developments take shape, Tucber remains committed to its core values of mutual support and community engagement. Tucber is more than just a place on the map. It’s a living, breathing example of how grassroots efforts, strong leadership, and a sense of shared purpose can transform a humble settlement into a model for community development.