Melanie Damishana, a small village built on the strength of its people

Apr 13, 2025 Features / Columnists, News, Waterfalls Magazine

---

Kaieteur News- Melanie Damishana, though small in size and unpopular to many citizens is a village rich in history and built upon the strength and backbones of its people.  From its unique origins by the name itself, this East Coast Demerara community, often underrated is a charming rural space.

The name Melanie Damishana was given by former President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, who chose to honour his daughter Melanie through the name. The word Damishana, on the other hand, stems from Swahili, meaning simply “village.”

While the name came from High Office, the physical foundation of Melanie was built by the hardworking hands of its own people. In its earliest days, the residents worked together to construct each other’s homes, an early display of unity and self-reliance that still defines the village today.

Melanie Damishana holds a special place in the region’s history for being one of the few villages that offered affordable materials and opportunities for families to construct their own homes. This cooperative spirit dates back to the early 1970s.

Elders in the community recall that the roots of Melanie Damishana’s development were planted in 1971 with the registration of the Vigalla Astra Cooperative Housing Society. This marked the beginning of a self-help housing initiative designed to provide affordable homes for low-income families. Construction officially began in 1972, and by the mid-1980s, around 400 houses had been built through this effort. The initiative was driven by a spirit of shared responsibility — a model centered on collective ownership, hands-on community involvement, and self-governance that became the backbone of the village’s early expansion.

The village expanded over time, starting with the southern side. As more families moved in, the need for additional housing, hence the northern side accumulated homes. In the early days, most persons that accommodate these homes were public servants such as firemen, police women, teachers and so much important educated people.

One of the original residents, who have lived in the village since 1977, shared his personal journey:

“I had bought a house lot in LBI. But in order to build a house, building used to cost around $20,000 in the ’90s. My wife told me she heard that a self-help housing scheme started and that we should go in that direction, so we moved here. Melanie Damishana was more convenient because all you had to do was turn up and work on your house with other people.”

“The government provided materials and supervision to build the house. When Burnham was President, he wanted to provide people with reasonable housing. As a result, public servants such as policemen, firemen, soldiers, and teachers joined the self-help scheme, so most of our original members are public servants. Public servants used to be given half-days from work to come into Melanie to continue to build their houses — it was very nice for us.”

Back then, Melanie boasted its own cinema, shopping plaza, post office, National Insurance Scheme (NIS) building and co-op bank. Though many of these have since been replaced or redeveloped, the community has seen continuous investment in infrastructure for a better, more comfortable quality of life.

Soon after the village’s establishment, schools, churches, a health centre, and recreational spaces, including a playground, were introduced to the area.

Recently in 2021, the inauguration of a fully operational fire station and ambulance service, costing $51.4 million and $12.5 million respectively. These facilities have drastically reduced emergency response times on the East Coast, complementing neighbouring services in Campbellville and Mahaica. In 2023, the completion of $27.6 million in road works, improving 476 meters of asphaltic concrete road within the village.

The upgrades addressed longstanding concerns about accessibility, drainage, and the condition of the roads — particularly in North Melanie, where the original brick roads (laid by villagers during Burnham’s era) had deteriorated over time. Currently, construction is ongoing for an $8 million water treatment plant at Bachelors Adventure, which will soon benefit residents in Melanie and surrounding communities by providing clean, safe, and iron-free drinking water.

Recently, in 2025, President Irfaan Ali announced collaboration with Melanie Damishana’s residents to develop several acres of land for an agricultural innovation programme. This initiative is designed to boost productivity, create new livelihoods, and empower local democratic councils to deliver essential services.

In recognition for youths and having functional recreational areas, the rehabilitation of the village’s first recreational ground began, aimed at creating a modern space capable of hosting events that will further highlight the village’s charm and encourage community togetherness.

Additionally, Melanie is also known for the famous hang out spots and bar located on the southern side in the market area. Person would come from far place to enjoy the country scenery and culture of its people.

ECHOES OF THE PAST

Beyond its modern growth, Melanie Damishana holds a deep-rooted and, at times, haunting history. Elders of the community recall stories passed down from their parents about the village’s darker past.

One elder recounted: “My father was born in 1910, and he told me that during slave days they used to hang people. Before this place was named Melanie Damishana, it was originally named Elizabeth Hall. My father told me back in the days of slavery, they used to hang misbehaving slaves.”

Elizabeth Hall, as it was once known, was a stretch of green pastures where livestock grazed. This is reminder of the area’s transformation from colonial farmlands to a thriving community.

Today, Melanie Damishana stands as a great example of a community that holds resilience, and what shared vision can achieve. From its self-help housing beginnings to modern infrastructure and deep historical roots, it is more than just another East Coast village, it is a place of heritage and hope, tranquility and peace.

---

---