Shabna Rahman

The quiet village of Letter Kenny, about seventeen miles from New Amsterdam on the Corentyne coast, has attracted attention because of its swirl-shaped coconut tree which many think is quite phenomenal.

Interviews and photos by Shabna Ullah This week on What the People Say we asked persons in Berbice if they have landline telephones or if they want one as well as how many mobile phones they have and which network they use.

At 76, New Jersey-based Guyanese Sirimatti Persaud is still eager to share her skills in sewing and is currently doing so at Bush Lot, West Coast Berbice, where she is conducting free classes.

Residents of the Whim/ Bloomfield Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC), Corentyne complained bitterly about the deplorable condition of the cemetery road at Whim and called for it to be fixed immediately.

Story and photos by Shabna Ullah Although Number 12 Village or Romefield is one of the smallest villages on the West Coast Berbice with a population of just 200, it is well developed in terms of businesses.

The results of a post-mortem examination yesterday proved that Canje businesswoman Bibi Shameena Khairoodin died of “shock and haemorrhage due to gunshot injuries, laceration to the brain and fractured skull.”

A 45-year-old Canefield, East Canje businesswoman was brutally stabbed to death around 10:25 pm on Tuesday during a domestic row with her husband of 27 years and he has since gone into hiding.

As the water level in the Mahaicony Creek keeps rising so are the losses for rice and cash crop farmers and they are wondering how they will be assisted during this disaster.

Farmers of Yakusari, Black Bush Polder burnt tyres on the road yesterday in frustration over the stagnant floodwater on their farms which has resulted in losses of their rice, cash crops and livestock.

Residents of Black Bush Polder, East Berbice have suffered losses to rice and cash crops and while the floodwater has started to recede in most areas it has remained stagnant in sections of Johanna and Yakusari.

As the rain continues, the water level in the Mahaica and Mahaicony is getting higher and some residents have already lost their entire crops while others are struggling to save what is left of theirs.

Several villages in Regions Five and Six remained under floodwater yesterday following heavy and persistent rain, with some West Berbice residents fearing that they would suffer losses to their cash crops.

West Berbice flooding

David Armogan was yesterday elected Chairman of the Regional Democratic Council (RDC) of Region Six and promised to work faithfully to improve the lives of the people although he said he could not “wave a magic hand” and transform the region.

The predominately African-Guyanese village of Lovely Lass, West Coast Berbice, seemed quiet during a midday visit with most of the residents busy trying to get chores done.

One week after becoming winner of the GT&T Bollywood Jingle & Song competition, 25-year-old Gail Ann Singh called ‘Priya’ of Port Mourant, Corentyne said she is being treated like a celebrity.

The bloated bodies of fisherman, Pooran Mathoor, 39, of Cromarty Farm and his worker, Fernando ‘Rakesh’ Singh, 17, of Bush Lot, Corentyne were found on Monday and yesterday respectively; the fishing boat remains missing.

This week on What the People Say Berbicians commented on what they would like the new Police commander of the division to do to help fight crime and make Berbice a safer place.

The celebration of Christmas in Kort-beraad, East Bank Berbice might be considered by some to be a bit old-fashioned; there is not much exchanging of presents and there is no extravagant spending on decorations or fancy items.

While persons in other parts of the country would celebrate Christmas at home with their families, the residents of Orealla and Siparuta, Berbice River, have major outdoor festivities.