Kimbia: a remote community where laughter and contentment abound

Sep 08, 2019 News

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By Alex Wayne
I cannot help but marvel how people residing in remote, almost isolated areas can come to grips with what’s lacking in life and yet bask in sweet contentment. How is it that they can live, minus the luxuries and amenities we are lucky to have in the urban areas?
It always leaves me dumbstruck to see their satisfying smiles, listen to their mirthful laughter which tug at my heart strings. Just to see how they cooperate with each other, live in humbleness and embrace whatever little fortunes life may have blessed them with, or derive methods to cope without those they have not been lucky to receive, warms my heart.
We fret in the city when there are challenges in relation to potable water, garbage disposal, and electricity, and not having a few food items, yet the people of Kimbia nestled in the Berbice River live a life of fulfillment. They live free of worry of what they have to drink, bathe, wash and even cook with river water in some cases. The inhabitants of this small community are indeed a happy people who exude great patience, and tolerance, and somehow seem to keep a countenance of great contentment and humility, although robbed of modern deserving luxuries.
Not every household in Kimbia, can afford to have their homes solar powered, and can purchase a generator, and those who can’t are quite okay to use gas lamps, and in some cases the flambeau (lamps made with bottles in which kerosene is poured to soak a fabric wick).
Women beating clothing by the Riverside with large wooden paddles seemed to be a usual sight, with bare back men huddling close by, whispering about the masculine conquest of the female species in hushed tones. Naked youths plunge fearlessly into the murky, dark waters of the Berbice River, yelping in surprise from the impact of the sometimes, almost ice cold water.
Kimbia is certainly a remote community where happiness and laughter abounds. It’s home to the very first training center to the Guyana National Service. The Pioneer Corps was started in 1974, with the establishment of the Kimbia Center on the Berbice River.
Kimbia is located in the Ebini Area, very close to the Ebini Agriculture Station, some miles up the Berbice River. It is located approximately some 158 km from the city of Georgetown.
Having the opportunity of visiting this very pristine and attractive area was indeed a pleasurable experience.

The Ride on the River

My fear of water was not going to stop me from going on this trip, especially since I have never been to Kimbia before. I was certainly impressed with the speedboat that was going to take me on the two hour drive up the Berbice River. It was quite sophisticated and had the luxury of music boxes, a radio set, among other amenities. So I settled in nicely with the other passengers intent on giving my friends a blow by blow account of the journey from my cellular phone as I travelled.

Everything was going fine in this regard until I had travelled a few miles up the river, and my cell phone just would not respond. It was then that I learnt that one could not get cellular phone signal after travelling a few miles up the Berbice River.

Our boat captain was young but seemed to be an expert as he manned the craft with great skill. The speedboat sped forward, riding the waves like a proud swan. The steady humming of the twin engines settling around us like a soothing blanket soon had a few passengers dozing off. This of course was not an easy task for me who always found it difficult to relax while on water.

The River was calm in most places and it was quite refreshing to watch large expanse of black water churn by as we got closer, and closer to our destination. The beauty of Guyana was vivid all around in the lush greenery that flew by in a hazy blur, or in the quaint little cottage houses erected on the banks of the River. The wind came swirling in refreshing puffs and I breathed in my fill, treating my lungs to air that was fresh and unpolluted. Large birds squawked in the skies above us, darting down like rockets at intervals to pounce on unsuspecting fishes frolicking in the water. It was a sight to watch them at their best as they hurried to nearby trees to devour the sometimes large silver scaled fish struggling desperately to elude the grasp of their beaks.
Quite soon we were gliding into the wharf just outside the Kimbia Primary School, and I was very alarmed at the level of soil erosion just outside the school compound, as the river had already eaten up the land just within inches of the school perimeter fence. In one area residents had placed bags of stones to slow the process but from all accounts it would need speedy works before the erosion, reaches inside the school compound.

Quite lucky to be visiting in an entourage headed by two ministers of Government, I was also the recipient of welcoming smiles and applause from eager, smiling residents. They lined the walkway with garlands to put on the necks of visitors, and guys, I must admit, I really felt special with such a reception from the people.
Chatting with the residents
Quite soon I was mingling with residents who were enjoying some fast food selections at a food stall just outside the school compound. And Selena English, a housewife certainly did not need much encouragement to share her thoughts with me.

“Our little community is indeed a very quiet and a really beautiful place. We are accustomed to existing without the finer things in life like persons in other locations. But as a people we try to make things work, with our little farming, catching of fish and selling our home cooked meals. But we are desperately in need of an infrastructural upgrade here. As you can see we need better washroom facilities at our school, and the land just outside the school yard will break away and soon get into the compound if nothing is done. Today we are thankful that through the efforts of a son of the soil, our school now has a new library and an ICT Office, which will better the education here for students of the village,” she said.
A farmer, Oswald Jacobs, commented on the need for electricity and potable water in the village.
“We are a contented set of people, but we would like to enjoy potable water in our homes like other areas, and have electricity too. It’s not every family that can afford to have solar power, and some cannot afford to purchase generators. We long to have internet in our homes and a better way of living for villagers. I know it will take a look of work to get electricity and good drinking water to villages along the Berbice River. But Rome was not built in a day…If the authorities start to generate work plans in this area, at least it will eventually bear fruit in the future. We are glad that our primary school is now powered, and has internet, but our welfare much always be the focal point of the relevant authorities. We too are Guyanese; we must not be forgotten in these remote areas. We want to be connected with the remainder of Guyana,” he said.

Gertude Williams, a seamstress in the small community was beaming with smiles when she was approached for a short interview.
“This is a nice place, but we just need a little Government assistance from time to time to get things going. The new Government is helping in many areas, but we need them to focus more in the areas of infrastructure, entertainment and sports. Our youths here are very talented, but they need more support so that they can excel in their choice of sports. Farming is a big thing in Kimbia, but we would want to see more Government intervention in providing assistance to farmers to upgrade their lands, improve drainage, and thus improving their harvest,” Williams intimated.

Phillip Lopes a pensioner was appreciative of the efforts by Government that are directed at the village. But according to him, much needs to be done in the areas of recreation, sports and entertainment.

“Kimbia is nice but is in need of more recreational facilities for the youths. You see…we have very talented persons here in the field of drama, sports, and art and craft. But our village is still underdeveloped and allows not much scope for them to further develop their skills and talents. As it is we are very contented and are glad with the peace we enjoy here but we are hoping that authorities can look into our welfare a little more as time goes by. We also need Government support to sustain a traditional cultural group in the village that is slowly going out of operation because of financial support,” Lopes said.
Kimbia is indeed a very arresting and almost pristine location that oozes laughter and countryside joys that many can only hope for. Come bask in the smiles and great hospitality of its cheery people. Throw a cast net and rake in some “good ole countryside bush fish”. If not, come prance in the sand, or cool off by plunging into the soothing waters of the Berbice River.

Rotaract clubs comes to the aid of villagers

Residents of Kimbia Community, Berbice River benefited greatly recently when several Rotaract Clubs organized a humanitarian drive that saw them enjoying a medical outreach initiative. Students of the Kimbia Primary School also received back to school support that included back packs, books and other items. The Kimbia School was also afforded a new library space and new ICT hub that will cater to better connectivity with the outside world.
The event was made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Rotaract Club of Georgetown Central and the Rotary Clubs of West Demerara, Stabroek and New Amsterdam. The medical outreach aspect of the event was made possible by the Demerara Rotaract contingent.
The initiative was spearheaded by Central Georgetown Rotary Club President, William Andrew Boyle, who actually has deep origins from the Kimbia, Berbice Rive location. Being a past student of the Kimbia Primary School, Boyle has decided to solicit support to give back to his alma mater.

Boyle, who was awarded the Anthony Sabga Award last year, said he made a commitment to give back. He particularly applauded the efforts of the Government for ensuring that there is an internet connection at the school, and commended the Caribbean Winds and Sun entity for powering the institution.
During his presentation, he particularly urged students of Kimbia to remember always to be humble, stick to their roots, keep promises, and try to surpass expectations.
To officially commission the ICT Centre and Library was Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, who noted that the new venture will boost technology for students and residents. She said too that it will also assist her ministry in bridging gaps created mainly by the difference in geographical locations.
According to the Minister, the Library aligns nicely with Government’s intention to ensure that Guyanese can access a better quality of life through the use of information and Communication Technologies (ICT).
The school’s top student for this year’s National Grade Six Assessment examinations, Corwin Agard, was awarded a scholarship and a bursary which was sponsored by Rotary Club Georgetown Central, and will span his entire secondary school years. He will receive a sum of $25, 000 each month, providing he continues to excel academically.
Very stirring camaraderie
If one is looking for a village that oozes rich camaraderie and ethnic unity that stirs the soul, then Kimbia is that location. From the lustrous laughter of the children as they prance about in the sandy pastures, to the loud bellows of men fishing by the riverside, or the girlish chatter of young ladies contemplating whom to wed, Kimbia has brewed and emits a certain aura where one feels at ease and always welcomed.
Those of various ethnicities rub shoulders, each partaking of and appreciating whatever little life has to offer. Some go out of their way to meet and satisfy each other’s needs while others make it their duty to ensure every visitor feel appreciated by extending mind-boggling degrees of hospitality. There is always a giggle or encouraging word from a housewife, farmer, or boat captain, or touching pleasantries from youths as they hover around curiously.. Beaming smiles and pleasant service in the very few business is more than just a custom.
Kimbia is indeed a very arresting and almost pristine location. Take time out some time to visit and bask in the smiles and great hospitality of its cheery people.

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