In Clifton Settlement, which was once known as Port Mourant, then Tain, located along the Corentyne highway in Region Six, fish vendor Angela Naidu wakes at 2 am to head to work on most days.
Naidu, who has lived for some 14 years in Clifton Settlement, explained that after her husband suffered an injury to his hand in an accident, she was forced to jump into the world of work to be able to assist with running their household and providing for their daughter, who is in high school. She added that after her husband recovered, she did not want to stop working as she saw how it was benefitting them. In addition to that, she had already experienced the feeling of being independent, which she did not want to let go of. “You know, I does throw my box hand and so,” she said. “Me ah work and do everything for myself.”
Naidu believes every woman should be allowed to pursue a career. She said she was also encouraged to join the workforce after seeing many women in her village working. “Most ladies ah work in this village [along with] them husband. It more easy for the family,” said Naidu, who described the area as “a nice family village.”
The village has a population of just over 170 persons, many of whom have neatly kept yards adorned with beautiful flowers and plants.
One of the oldest residents, Jainab Ally, 85, has resided in the village for over 60 years. She said that the village was originally called Port Mourant and during that time there was no road, water or electricity, only an undeveloped area with a few houses. She added that some years ago the area was divided, and the village was given the name Clifton Settlement. However, she said, she does not know why that name was chosen.
“We get light and water now,” she said, “but the road need more development and we need streetlights.”
She also spoke of the fact that most of the older folks have since passed on or migrated. She pointed out that there is a plot of land next to her yard that has been abandoned for many years now. “Nobody don’t want to sell it out or give it away [to] let people come and live. I think the people dead and them grandchildren get land but them na do nothing with it or build something and rent it,” she surmised.
Ally said she enjoys living in the village and though her children are living in other villages she has remained in Clifton Settlement.
The settlement, which has three main streets with about seven cross streets, is the home of the MMP Foundation for Excellence, which assists less fortunate students with attending school through a scholarship programme. The MMP foundation is named for its founder, Mohabir Mookerchand Persaud, an overseas-based Guyanese who launched the organisation to provide financial support to underprivileged students.
Also located in Clifton Village is the MMP building, which houses MMP Global, MMP Stock Feeds and Poultry Supplies, MMP Trucking Services, as well as a fashion and makeup academy and the Jagan Consulting Firm.
Rajendra Latchman, 22, a former teacher and now clerk at the Jagan Consulting Firm, said that the residents of Clifton and neighbouring communities seem grateful to have such an office in the area since they would often visit for assistance.
Latchman said the village has undergone a significant transformation, while recalling the muddy streets he had known in his youth and the lack of access to water.
Latchman also said that the village can be classed as multiethnic since persons from almost every ethnicity reside in Clifton Settlement. While noting that youths would have to visit the nearby playfields, he pointed out that there was a recreational ground that was slated to be developed but was only fenced about four years now and then left.
Also located in Clifton Settlement is the Tain Mandir. While most Clifton residents were unsure how the Tain Mandir came to be located in the village, Edwin Pooran who resides just over the street which divides Tain and Clifton said, “All over beena first Port Mourant and then them divide it into Port Mourant, Ankerville, Tain, Clifton, Johns….”
He added, “This place been undeveloped when this mandir build. So, them name it Tain and when them start form the streets then them finally drop in Clifton.”
Being separated by just one street, the man who has resided in Tain for over 70 years, said he often takes his bicycle and ventures over to Clifton.
Residents also pointed out another fact about Clifton Settlement and that is that the signboard with the village’s designated name is actually located in the village before Clifton.
Another young resident, Marvin Shivlochan, 23, said he has resided in the village for most of his life and to his knowledge the village has always been the same. However, he said, it is in dire need of streetlights. “The place alright how it deh here right now,” he said, as he noted that he enjoys living in the village.
Shivlochan also pointed out that since there is no developed playfield in the village, youths would venture to neighbouring villages to make use of those playfields.
Roopchand Harrinarain, 49, said he appreciated the village more in the past since many houses have now been left abandoned and the residents moving into the village are unknown to him.
According to the man, many years ago, he would take his bicycle and ride around the village since he was known to almost everyone, but he added that now some days he does not even leave his home since most of the new generation of persons residing in the village are not known to him. “Suh much amount of people come in and me na even know them. Sometime whole day a pass me na even go back or go Johns or Tain. Things real change up now,” he said.
Another resident, Chandinie Rambarran, who has lived in the village for over 17 years, noted that persons spend their days at home completing chores and relaxing, but she also stressed that most residents of the village are employed and would only be home during the evenings.
The World Beyond Georgetown was told that there are mostly estate workers and teachers in the village, with a few nurses, construction workers and hire car drivers, among others.
Meanwhile, one of the issues raised by many residents was the increasing substance abuse in the village. The villagers pointed out that there is a known house in Clifton Settlement which sells illegal substances and despite a petition being sent to the Whim Police Station by residents nothing has yet been done.
Also located in Clifton Settlement is a massive supermarket and an auto spares workshop.
