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Kaieteur News
Sunday March 31, 2019
Lichfield Village - An almost serene location...
The almost abandoned Young Women Christian Association building. From page 65 of laughter at my terror. “Oh gosh budday,” he bellowed between first of laughter, you look like you about to die man. Dem dogs friendly; dem sniffing yuh because dem making friends. Relax maan, Yuh good. Relax budday.” Nicholson directed me to my resource persons around the village, and Jaylon Benjamin, a rice and vegetable farmer was equally helpful. He informed of the way of living of villagers and how they would rise to the occasion in case of prolonged dry spells. “Boss (our) way of living here is basically by planting rice, ground provision, and vegetables in the back dam. But just like it happening now, we does get some serious dry
season, which does really mess up things. “When this happens, it does become really hard on the crops, and we would have to go to the extremes to get water to our crops. Those who can afford it can pump water from the canal, but if yuh ain’t get it like that, you got to fetch it in buckets from sometimes far distances. Nevertheless, we accustomed to this so it become like nothing these days. We just mek do and improvise…” Benjamin cultivates rice, and vegetables, which he sells around the village. Sometimes, he takes it to the Mahaicony Market Square, over 15 miles. Marliyn Lindo spoke of the lack of entertainment in the village. She made comparisons with the Lichfield of old.
“Lichfield is a quiet and nice village, but what is lacking these days is the entertainment for which the village was once famous. We used to promote the biggest Maypole Fairs and concerns, and things like that. But many persons have migrated taking with them their skills and talents, and no one has really bothered to take up the mantle. “Yes we do the May Fair still, but there are really no village concerts like we used to have before. Old time stories are not told much in the homes now, and we can’t tell when last villagers lit any big bonfire and sit around it like we used to many years ago, especially at Emancipation. “Persons have grown more modernized, and because many have relocated, our culture has dwindled somewhat. We need a reviving of our cultural roots in this village. “Even our famous Young Women’s Association Building is not open like before and this was the centre that brought out most of the hidden talents of our young women.” The Young Christian Women Association building was the centre where young girls learnt the trade of dressmaking, bottled seasonings and peppers, art and craft and much more. Their handiwork was once a topic of discussion in many villages. No one seemed to be able to shed light on the cause of such turn of events. The resource person was said to be out of the village at the time of my visit. YWCA’s programmes are actually an IDCE/ Ministry of Agriculture initiative geared at providing opportunities in the areas of catering, tailoring, floral decoration practices, making of pepper sauce and kitchen seasonings, achar and other items. This institution was formed in 2003, according to residents, to mold young Christian women, create employment for them, and to inculcate in them better values and morals. What began as a simple bottom house venture for group members became a more established venture through efforts of the European Union (EU) in 2005, and a stately concrete building was built to accommodate the members, increased over time. Their products were marketed at entities all around Guyana. They are assisted in their efforts by the REID’S Organisation, which is being financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, according villagers. Lichfield also has a well-established library, and this is used widely by youths in the village for leisure time reading and for assignment research. Social Issues Most locations around Guyana are today heating up with the topic of the ‘No Confidence Motion’ and of course, villagers countrywide all have their opinions on the subject. Surprisingly, this was not the hot topic in Lichfield Village. Villagers seemed more concerned with tending to their kitchen garden, and attending to their small food stalls to rake in much needed dollars. Stephanie Clarke, with a carefree toss of her shoulder length braids said, “I don’t why these people making such a big fuss about this No Confidence issue. I ain’t get the time to be tearing up myself about that at all, because I got to live, I have to eat and survive. “Despite whichever Government is ruling,
I still have to work and my husband still has to work feed our family. I am in support of any Government that has the interest of the Guyanese people at heart, and I am more than ready for a proper Government despite of race or creed.” Alisha Drennon was a bit more fired up in her take on the No Confidence Issue. “My opinion is that Government should not spend so much time deliberating on the No Confidence situation as they are doing. If the same time and energy is spent on focusing on issues actually affecting the nation, Guyana will be a better country. “If the legislation decides that the No Confidence motion is valid, then so let it be, and let the consequences follow. “I don’t know much about politics, but I am a Guyanese, so I have the right to an opinion, and my views that both political parties should let the decision on the No Confidence Motion be guided by the laws that have been made to determine its outcome, and there should be no undermining of the laws for whatever reasons.” Richard Sharpe said that a Government should adhere to the laws of the constitution. “People need to stop getting all worked up over this situation. In our village, the No Confidence Motion is not a big topic of discussion, but from watching the news and reading the newspapers, I can see all Guyana has taken up the mantle and is making this thing much bigger than it is. “Government is faced with issues every day that requires constructive direction. I am not too sure that the two parties are entirely constructive with their approach. All they may end up doing is putting more wood to the fire to ignite circumstance, which we do not want. “They need to stop these threats and comments that may infuriate people, or fuel disagreements. Instead, they should work as one body to resolve their disagreement’s in a manner that foster peace and security for the Guyanese people.” Drainage seems to be okay in Lichfield Village, and villagers are particularly happy that the RDC has begun works on a mud dam used by farmers to access their farms in the backlands. This dam in the rainy season would become almost impossible to tread on, and as such, villagers were elated that repair works were being carried out. The sight of men on horses chasing cows down the Lichfield Dam brought a vivid reminder that this was a location where poultry farming and cattle rearing brought in vibrant incomes for many residents. The main road is in perfect shape, and the canals are well maintained. Lichfield residents enjoy continuous electricity, a constant supply of potable water and they ensure their village is kept clean through self-help initiatives and burning of garbage and refuse. Many youths have migrated and are working in foreign states, and are sending back large dividends for their relatives. This accounts for the many attractive buildings and a few businesses which are presently still in the making. With its great hospitality, and arresting atmosphere, Lichfield can be best described as the perfect location for the nature hearted who loves the beauties of life and who also crave tranquility.