Story by Sharda Bacchus
Photos by Suraj Narine
Klien Pouderoyen is a relatively large village on the West Bank of Demerara, sandwiched between Vreed-en-Hoop and Malgre Tout. Boasting a population of four to five thousand, its inhabitants are of mixed ethnicity. All three major faiths are represented in the community, with houses of worship – Hindu, Christian and Muslim – to cater to the residents’ various spiritual needs in evidence.
Today was the day Roger Martin set aside for his parents; the policeman had arranged to bring a doctor to the home of his parents since they were unwell. “I am living here for 20 years now and the village is very peaceful. One problem I have is the water system; the water is always on and off, it’s never always flowing” said Martin.
On the other side of the coin, he complained of flooding in his part of the village if it rained for any length of time, and made reference to a drainage problem.
Residents also complained of the frequency of black-outs.
Further up the road Mr Troy Cadogan, along with two other villagers were having a meal as they awaited the arrival of more friends to play a friendly afternoon game of dominoes. “I was born here, nice community, nice people; the roads are good but more improvement needs to be done as it relates to drainage and irrigation,” Cadogan said. However, he described Pouderoyen as potentially one of the best villages on the West side.
As it relates to education, Klien Pouderoyen has a nursery school named the Shirley Merle Field Ridley Nursery School. The West Demerara Secondary School is technically not located in the village but is so close to it, that the residents regard it as falling within their boundaries. The compound of the secondary school serves as a playground for the children especially, and it is also an area for practising sports activities. Recreational activities, religious ceremonies, meetings and important functions are also held in the school’s compound. However, there is no primary school in the village, so most children attend the Vreed-en-Hoop Primary School while others go to Malgre Tout Primary, both of which are within walking distance of the community.
“I have been living here for almost fifty years now,” said Khemraj Mahadeo, a farmer and owner of a large amount of cows and sheep. His wife, Basmati, related how the village used to be: “Before road did bad, now it good, we use to go to school in boats now they going in vehicles.” For this elderly couple there is no problem in the community as far as they are concerned. “The water system it improve since they move the pump, and I been rearing cattle as long as I could remember. Me does plant also whatever little it is, boulanger, peppers and tomatoes; I even sometimes sell milk. For this family life in the community is very quiet and peaceful.”
Even though Klien Pouderoyen has a large area of rice fields, only a small number of the residents depend on rice farming for employment. Many others, especially those residing on the roadsides are owners of small businesses; little shops can be found in every corner of the village with every item being available. The villagers believe in establishing their own businesses which they own and operate. Given its proximity to Georgetown, there will be many villagers too who seek work in the city and surrounding areas.
As Stabroek News travelled along the busy public road of the village, we made a final stop at a quiet shop whose owner turned out to be a councillor of the Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Mr Chand. He has lived in and served his community for countless years and has great joy in doing so. “I been living here long and I like the village; the care of my fellow villagers is my main concern and always will be. I am always ready to represent my village and the only problem I have right now is the crime rate and I don’t think that can stop in the village.” The prevalence of drug use and selling by some members of the community was noted, and Chand pointed to the area where it usually takes place and which is known as the “White Elephant.” Chand lives alone currently since all his children are abroad.
