New Scheme, Patentia

The koker at New Scheme, Patentia

New Scheme, Patentia is not so new anymore; it has been in existence for more than 50 years and is home to hundreds. The community is bordered by a squatting area, old Patentia and Skull City.

New Scheme was the highlight of the entire West Bank Demerara back in the 90s. A late resident called Sadhu, who had some amount of mechanical and technical skills, had built a merry-go-round and a Ferris wheel. People travelled from all over to have their children get on the amusement rides. Holiday and some weekends were always busy. Vendors would turn up to sell cotton-candy, popcorn and sno-cones.

Sadhu lived with his family in an old bus he had turned into a home; his children and grandchildren still live there. He also built mini go-karts, some of wood and metal, for his children who were in primary school at the time. They would go riding along the West Bank road sometimes, which saw much excitement among their peers looking out from behind the school fence.