COMPTON Peters, a native of Karasabai Village, Region Nine, (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) has lauded government’s intervention in developing the village.

He told the Guyana Chronicle recently that people are returning to the village to live and work due to its rapid development. Within recent times many of those who had left for the city and neighbouring Brazil to pursue job opportunities have returned.

About a year ago, Peters opened his own restaurant and bar. He started out small and as time progressed, he expanded into an eight-bedroom guesthouse, in a prime location just on the outskirts of the village, overlooking the airstrip.

The former Community Development Officer added that he chose to invest in his community to provide a safe space for locals to visit and relax via his bar and restaurant that prepare authentic Amerindian cuisine and local foods.

“Lil Hole” may seem to be an odd name for a bar, but according to the businessman, he did not intend to be vulgar. Rather, the name simply means that it was a little nook, a place where people can come, relax, and have refreshments.

He related that life in general in Karasabai Village has improved. He said previous jobs were unavailable and this forced many to leave their homes in search of opportunities.

Peters also spoke about the eight-room guesthouse. Appropriately named Airstrip View Inn given its location, the guesthouse offers affordable accommodation for visitors with free WIFI, meals and self-contained rooms.

The self-employed local pointed out that Karasabai Village is known as the capital of the sun-kissed parakeets, a nature lover’s paradise which is complemented by a scenic landscape of mountains and a rugged outback. It is also a well-known cattle-rearing community.

The father of three explained that life has improved for the locals with proper infrastructure such as the airstrip now in place. Travel to the remote village is now much easier, there are asphaltic internal roads and lots of entrepreneurial activity and other ventures.

Peters said the village itself is a lovely place to reside and the people are very hospitable and close-knit. Residents upkeep traditions and culture and support each other.

He told the Guyana Chronicle that a year ago, when he opened his business, he had to wait until weekend for patrons to visit. Now, locals have more disposable income and would show up to spend every day.

On the other side of things, he disclosed that the road linking Karasabai Village to Lethem is under floodwaters for six months at a time during the rainy season, making overland travel impassable. This hampers trade and the provision of critical services.

Peters is of the view that an asphaltic road is required, since all the connecting bridges would also be inundated for a long period of time, severely reducing the purchasing of goods from neighbouring Brazil, which is located about 20 kilometres away.

“Other than the road challenge, we can say we have a good life here in Karasabai Village, because the current administration has invested in the community to enhance the lives of the villagers,” he said.

Peters also reported that maybe next year when the Village Council holds a new election for community leaders, he may become a candidate to further lend support to the community.

He is also known to be benevolent and gives back to the community in meaningful ways and is also a role model to many youths whom he could encourage to strive for a better future through gainful, honest means.

THE VILLAGE

Karasabai is an indigenous Macushi Amerindian village in the South Pakaraima Mountains of Region Nine, Guyana, near the Brazilian border and the Ireng River.

It has a population of about 1,200 to 1,500 people and serves as a vital administrative and cultural centre.

Karasabai Village is set in dramatic rolling valleys and tabletop mountains of the South Pakaraimas, alongside the Ireng River, which divides Guyana and Brazil.

The village’s name was derived from Macushi words describing a legendary stone canister and a deep pool (Krasa and Ebai).

Karasabai is home to several satellite communities, with Macushi as the primary spoken language and English as the second.

The village is famous for being a home for the endangered sun parakeet (sun conure) and local conservation and ranger projects help to keep the birds safe.

Further, the village offers vast untouched savannah landscapes, unique local wildlife, and rich indigenous traditions.

The village features the local Karasabai Airport which underwent infrastructural and terminal upgrades and recent local investments include new road links, administrative spaces, and ICT connectivity hubs.