Kilcoy - Once a swamp land now buzzing with life.

Kilcoy – Once a swamp land now buzzing with life.

Dec 04, 2022 News

Village Focus – Kilcoy

Kaieteur News – The village of Kilcoy is one of the many villages located within the larger confines of Albion in East Berbice Corentyne, Region 6. What was once a swamp land with no one living there, is now a community where people live in comfort.

The main canal which separates Kilcoy from Albion Village.

A resident who has been living in Kilcoy for over 21 years

Sumintra Harinarine, the first person to live in Kilcoy

One of the streets that is being rehabilitated

Mark who has been working at the estate as a fitter/machinist with GUYSUCO for the past five years was all smiles as he made his way to work.

Entering the community of Kilcoy, Corentyne, Berbice.

When The Waterfalls visited, streets were being rehabilitated and villagers were either heading to work, going home or having an afternoon chit chat. Since the area is populated by persons either employed in the sugar industry, fishing industry or engaged in some small-scale cash crop and livestock farming, some of these livestock could be seen roaming and grazing the area.

I was particularly intrigued by how friendly and kind the people were, they were willing to have a conversation about anything, as if we had known each other for years. Their warmth and welcoming demeanour stood out above everything else.

Sumintra Harinarine called “Shako”, 80, was sitting with her daughter who was visiting from Georgetown, Region 4. Harinarine is the first inhabitant of the village! She revealed that she previously lived in Albion with her husband who was employed with a contractor to build the Corentyne highway. In those days, she said she sold greens and provision at the market, all in an effort to support her family of six children. Harinarine said at that time, she lived with her in-laws but she always had a desire to own their own house and land. It occurred to her that the stretch of swampland she overlooked from across the main canal separating Kilcoy and Albion, could be theirs.

She said she wasted no time, and spoke with someone in authority who then granted her permission to occupy a piece of the land. Harinarine said it was music to her ears and that she was enthusiastic about this new development. She and her husband built a small house made of zinc with one bed and they lived comfortably while working until they could afford a bigger and better home.

Harinarine said that when they moved over to the land, it was a swampland but it did not matter since they knew it was now theirs. Within a few weeks, others started doing the same and moved over, taking up various parts of land, built their homes and lived. Eventually, they all were granted legal documentation for the lands.

“Dis binna wan savannah, a swampland and so when me done sell me go and tell the man (who she got permission from for the land) and me tell am seh me want a piece land to make house and that me get five daughter and one son and he ask me where me see the land and me tell him where dem people does throw garbage and that it vacant…”

She added that since living in the community, they are now seeing some major infrastructural developments on the streets and the main access road. She expressed that living in Kilcoy is quite enjoyable and hopes to continue living there for many more years to come.

Another resident, Mark Kamaladeen, 24, was heading to work at the Albion Sugar Factory on his bicycle when he stopped to chat with us for a few minutes. He grew up in Kilcoy and said that the area is peaceful and the people are industrious.

He has been a fitter machinist at GUYSUCO for the past five years and said he loves his job.

Within the community itself, you can find a Hindu temple and one Christian church, there is no mosque. The residents of Kilcoy are mostly rooted in the Hindu faith.

Another resident who lives in Kilcoy said she has been living in the community for over 21 years. She previously lived in Hogtown but got married and moved to Kilcoy where she has seven children.

“Kilcoy is a nice place” she said as she hurriedly left to go about her business. Her sister was earnestly waiting on her.

In Kilcoy, you can find a fishing wharf when you make your way down to the end of the village and a sluice with the Albion/Kilcoy/Chesney canal running through. Just a stone’s throw away is the Albion Police Station, the Albion Magistrate Court, a building that once housed an orphanage and Sita Hardware and Bridal Store. There is also the popular “Bull Shop”, one of the oldest shops in the community. On the other side of the road is the main entrance to the Chesney New Housing Scheme.