Development taking shape in Mabura/Greatfalls

DIP, Guyana, Thursday, August 03, 2017

The Mabura Mission/Great Falls village, located in Region Ten is currently embarking on a number of projects aimed at enhancing economic development.

One of the projects the Village Community is rolling out is the establishment of a community guest house as part of its Community Development Project (CDP). The guest house is being funded to the tune of $5M.

During an interview with the Department of Public Information (DPI), Toshao Nicole Daniels shared that the project is part of the community’s effort to boost tourism since a number of persons traverse the area to visit the falls.

Toshao Daniels said that the community was able to establish a Village Shop, with the funds  received from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Jubilee Grant fund. This project was completed at a cost of $1.5M, and eliminated lengthy travel to Linden to purchase basic items.

Additionally, the community was also able to purchase a bus and an outboard engine from funds totalling $5M, which was saved from their Presidential Grant fund. The transportation is being used to  take  students to and from school and facilitate residents to do shopping in Linden. The community also has access to an ambulance in case of  emergencies.

The village’s main economic activity is logging and subsistence farming, hunting and fishing.

The Toshao noted that persons are involved in individual logging activities and would usually sell their produce to the residents in Linden. She explainedthat there is a sawmill located in the community that is owned by a private individual, who purchase wood from the villagers. The sawmill also provided the materials for the village shop.

The Community is also benefitting from the second phase of the Hinterland Employment and Youth Service (HEYS) programme, in which 20 youths are participating. They are being trained in areas such as catering, joinery, carpentry and agriculture.

Mabura Mission/Great Falls Village, is a small indigenous reservation located on the bank of the Demerara River. It has a population of close to 150 persons. The community has two nursery and primary schools, a health centre and a village office.

 

By: Synieka Thorne