Guava Bush – A peaceful community with contented and hardworking inhabitants

Oct 30, 2022 News

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Village Focus…

By Malisa Playter-Harry

Kaieteur News – Guava Bush—quite an interesting name for a village isn’t it? For the people of this small village located within the larger confines of Albion, in East Berbice Corentyne, it is their home, a place they love and enjoy living.

If you are a first time visitor to Region Six, Berbice this village will not stand out like the ones that can be easily seen along the public road. It is nestled uniquely along the Albion Estate Road, just a stone’s throw away from the Albion Sugar Factory. You’ll notice a large sign indicating that you are now in the village of Guava Bush. As you walk in, one of the first things you will notice is the abundance of trees in the yard spaces of the villagers and you will spot the Guava Bush, Shivala Mandir, the only such religious place of worship in the village.

When The Waterfalls visited, its inhabitants were occupied with their afternoon chores or heading out to get some work done in the village by bringing in the sheep, cattle and other livestock that were taken out to graze earlier in the day.

Keshwar Hardwar called ‘Tony’ who is a Labourer at the Albion Estate, was making his way out of the village on his electric scooter. The young man said he was going to bring in some of his livestock that he had left to graze for some time. Hardwar has been working at the estate since 2002 but has been living in the village from the time he was born. He noted that he loves living there and doesn’t see himself living anywhere else.

According to him, “normally people work, they go the estate and work, some people does mind lil chicken and so to bring in lil income because the estate money not really enough.”

He added that the people of his community live a “simple and normal life” while trying daily to improve their way of life, either by engaging in extra work or by just simply enhancing their surroundings.  For him, there is no crime except “the one or two kitchen thief that does thief you duck and chicken and so.” He added that they have one main access street but overtime it has deteriorated in some sections, he hopes that the NDC or the Regional officials will see the need to have it fixed soon. He also mentioned that there is a need for better drainage and noted that there is a main trench that needs immediate cleaning.

Hardwar said that although these are issues that affect the people directly and indirectly, he believes that it can be dealt with.

He described the people of the community as “friendly and some that love to walk and mind yuh business.” It was a straightforward answer, but Hardwar seemed like a man who did not hold back on his thoughts and opinions.

The Laborer who is married with three children believes that being contented and enjoying the simple things in life has laid out a path for him.

As we ventured further down, we caught up with Bibi Haniff, who was rocking away in her hammock. She lives alone but said she likes it that way. She said that she has wonderful neighbours who would often check up on her to make sure that she was doing alright.

“Me does call on them night-time that me going upstairs and me does bolt me door and padlock meh door, put on meh fan and shut meh eye and sleep,” she giggled as she shared what her evenings are like.

She said has not been living in Guava Bush all her life but only came there when she got married many years ago and since then, she has adapted and made it her sanctuary of comfort. Her husband, she said worked at the Albion Estate but has since passed away, they had two children together, one who is still alive and checks in on her and the other who passed away.

The elderly woman said that when her husband died, she started her own small business to make a living, “me use to buy and sell and make tings like plantain chips, channa, fudge and so to sell.” She expressed that she loved living in Guava Bush and loves the people that live within the community.

While she also shared that there should be better drainage, her other concerns were that the roof over her home needs fixing but noted that she is not financially capable to do so. She said it leaks and the only safe spot to be to keep dry when it rains, is her room. Haniff has not yet qualified for pension since she will be turning 65 in 2023 but said that the masjid would usually assist her with a small pocket piece. She added that she was receiving public assistance, but they stopped giving her, instead they gave her back her public assistance book.

Haniff said it is hard for her especially at this stage in her life, but she remains resilient and hopeful that better will come to her one day. She encouraged all to always be kind and grateful for the small things.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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