A village built by collaboration, co-operation and community

SOME 58 years ago, the people and leaders of Guyana came together to pioneer a new community under an entirely novel idea: the self-help principle. The plan nearly six decades ago was to have men and women come together to build a village with their hands, quite literally from the very ground up.
Just a few men and women, most of whom were public servants, ventured to begin the community of Phoenix Park in 1966. Found on the West Bank of Demerara, Phoenix Park continues to give rise to a diverse, successful group of people. Today, the village stands as a reminder of what collaboration, dedication, and genuine co-operation can accomplish.

A Walk in ‘The Park’
One of the most striking things about Phoenix Park, and something bound to surprise newcomers, is the streets of the community. Unlike traditional straight streets, Phoenix Park takes a different approach with its circular layout. The intricate community is one circle within another, adding to its uniqueness and individuality.
It is a beautiful and peaceful community; in essence, most of the villagers say that life in the residential area is quiet and easygoing. With supermarkets, schools, healthcare, and countless other conveniences right around the corner, life in the village is like ‘a walk in the park’. But building the community was anything but.

Marva Joseph-Grandison was among the young mothers who were part of the then-budding village of Phoenix Park. The brave men and women who were part of the self-help initiative went into building the community with simply a goal in their hearts and a vision in mind.
Marva saw the building of the community as an opportunity to gain a home of her own and a fresh start for her children. As Marva stated, “This was a place for people who had jobs and did not have houses; this was an opportunity for them to own their homes.”

Sharing a bit about the development of the community, Marva stated, “It’s the first housing scheme that was under the old self-help programme. And that was 50-something years ago. I’m not quite sure how much, but I know it’s somewhere around 57 years or so.” Recounting her experience in the early days of Phoenix Park, she further added, “Because, at the time you did self-help, you used to get a little oil and butter and a little flour and those kinds of things.”

The now 73-year-old Justice of the Peace was born and raised in the West Bank of Demerara, settling in Phoenix Park after having been raised in Middle Street Pouderoyen. She has called Phoenix Park home for three decades; in those years, she has pioneered new paths for herself as well as the community.
Stating why she wanted to come to the community in the first place, Marva shared, “I came to Phoenix Park because I needed a home at the time. I had my children and so on, and I was living upstairs at my mom’s house, and I wanted my own. And I came here and rented here for $40 a month. Well, from living a year or two, I bought it for $35,000.”

Marva describes the village of Phoenix Park as the perfect balance between the warm, welcoming nature of the countryside and the peaceful, well-kept nature of residential communities.
As Marva states, “When I came here, I bought this place. I had cows, goats, sheep, fowls, duck, turkey, you name it, I had it. And I planted up all here; you see flowers. I planted here where all there was kitchen garden.”
Communities are essential; they create a sense of belonging, a place that we call home, create families, and find one within our neighbours. The people of Phoenix Park have a unique admiration for the village that they helped build.

However, communities are made up of more than good streets, developed community centres, and good leadership; villages are also about people. Marva understood this and has done more than her fair share of helping the community over the years.
Over the years, the friendly and charismatic Marva became a community leader. First, as a community councillor and then leader of the region’s women’s affairs committee, this is where she made the biggest impact, reaching as many women going through abuse as possible.

As she stated, “Because I was a community councillor, I became the chairperson for the women’s affairs in the entire region three. I used to go to the different regions, places like Region 1 and Santa Mission. I would go out to look at women’s rights; I would hold rallies and workshops. I would have resource personnel come to give lectures.”
Marva’s message was always focused on gender-based violence and teaching women about their rights and the fact that they have to speak out to be heard. As she stated, “My message was always about abuse. There were a lot of women who went through abuse; some of them did not do anything, but some would fight back and try to represent themselves.”
Marva still practises as a justice of the peace and a commissioner of oaths and affidavits, a job she worked while caring for seven children. She has done more than her part in the development of the community and Guyana on a larger scale, building communities through co-operation and waging wars on gender-based violence by being heard.