LONG before tourists arrive or locals get ready to start their day, Joyce Hendricks is up at the crack of dawn to fulfil her duties as a community advocate for the environment at Saxacalli Mission, a place that is more than a home for herself and her family.

She would walk more than 20 minutes from her home to the beach after completing household chores to start cleaning and get set for the day.

Hendricks is a resident of Saxacalli Mission, Essequibo River, Region Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), who has lived all her life in this scenic community. She says she doesn’t see herself ever leaving.

The mild-mannered Community Services Officer (CSO) is responsible for cleaning the beach, a task she takes pride in, and it is a place where there is simply no rush to move quickly, as a natural, tranquil atmosphere overwhelms you.

Hendricks told the Pepperpot Magazine that it is a very safe place to live and, although it is located on the mainland, they get around via boat, which is their mode of transportation.

Saxacalli Mission is a very beautiful place with a beach that stretches for miles and overlooks the mighty Essequibo River. The village itself sits on a hill, with dwellings scattered across the land, which is overshadowed by trees and other greenery.

Hendricks reported that life in that community can be quite comfortable once you are employed, and it is a lovely place to settle with a family.

“I find this place to be nice and interesting for me because I live and work here without having to leave the village, and at 51 years old, I do not foresee leaving this paradise at all,” she said.

She is also a farmer, growing vegetables for her kitchen. There is enough space to grow what she needs for food without spending extra—a simple yet practical way to live.

Hendricks told Pepperpot Magazine that there are 10 CSOs in the group who clean and maintain the village to an acceptable standard for themselves and visitors.

She added that when people visit the village, they have to pay a landing fee, and that money is used to upkeep the beach and its surroundings.

Hendricks stated that she lives about a 20-minute walk away from the area where all the activities take place, especially on Easter Monday.

Saxacalli Mission has more than 150 inhabitants, mostly of mixed ethnicities, who live in harmony alongside their Amerindian neighbours.

As a first-time visitor, I was mesmerised by the natural beauty of the place, and it is an ideal getaway for family outings—to picnic, swim, relax, and unwind.

Hendricks related that locals earn their living by hunting, fishing, logging, and other jobs right within the community.

Saxacalli Mission has a nursery/primary school, a health centre, an ICT hub with Wi-Fi, and the Seventh-day Adventist Church, along with the Saxacalli Rainforest Centre, a protected area.

Saxacalli Mission is also a tourist destination recognised by the Guyana Tourism Authority (GTA).

The youths either attend secondary school in Bartica and other villages or leave the community to look for work.

There is a boat that takes the children to and from school, and there is also a river ambulance attached to the health centre, which has a Community Health Worker.

Saxacalli Mission is without electricity, but some locals have generators and solar power. It has more than 30 houses, with a teacher’s house, a shop, and an incomplete guest house.

They also have Benabs, a multi-purpose centre, and a cricket pitch with a ground.

Hendricks said that four years ago, she became a CSO to serve her community. Prior to that, she was a cook at the school, but these days she likes her job because meeting people is what she is good at, and maintaining a clean environment is something she takes pride in.

Saxacalli Mission is a peaceful, historic Arawak indigenous community on the west bank of the Essequibo River in Guyana, known for one of the region’s best inland freshwater beaches.

Located roughly 25 miles south of Parika, the village features a church, a primary school, a health post, and a community centre.

Originally, an Arawak community established in the 1800s was named “Kingfisher”.

The nearby Saxacalli Rainforest Centre is a 30-acre protected area focused on biodiversity.

The community is considered a “hidden gem,” providing a quiet, scenic getaway focused on nature and local culture.