A lot of us must have heard about the village of Kwakwani but because of its remoteness and the hassle of getting there, we would have never visited. So come and let us explore Kwakwani together and discover all it has to offer.
Kwakwani is home to more than 4000 people and located along the bank of the Berbice River. The main economic activities within the village are mining and logging, since it is one of the many gateways to the interior of Guyana. Kwakwani can be accessed by both water and land through Linden in Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice). The village is located some 100 kilometres south of Linden. The other way to get to Kwakwani would be from New Amsterdam via the Berbice River, but mainly bauxite transporters use this route, according to residents. The approximately three hours bus ride to the village is one that awakens the sense of adventure in you as you pass through the old bauxite mines and come into contact with the lush green forests. The sounds of birds chirping or water flowing from natural wells make it all the more enjoyable.
When you enter the village, the warmth and hospitality afforded to you is a testament to the type of people that coexist in Kwakwani. Since mining and logging are the main economic activities, there are certain ills associated with the community. Kwakwani has its fair share of problems in the form of bad roads, drug and substance abuse as well as teenage pregnancies. But according to the residents they are banding together as a community to address the social ills and calling on those in authority to address infrastructural and other issues.
Kwakwani has a lot of creeks and pools ideal for liming and enjoying family time. In addition, the village has its own schools and hospital to tend to its residents. However, like the patients of every other remote hospital, residents would have to travel to Linden or Georgetown for specialised care.
So if you are up for an adventure, get a crew, hop on a bus, and enjoy the bumpy ride to Kwakwani. (photos by Rayston Downer) (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
