Sophia: From Forgotten to Flourishing
─ “Sophia came a very long way in a very short time. I can’t see Sophia people complaining. This government has done so much for this area.” Resident Vincent Paul
DPI, Guyana, Tuesday, March 26, 2019
The community of Sophia was first established over three decades ago. That’s a long time before housing schemes such as Diamond or Tuschen were even on a ministry’s planning boards. But while those communities have been developed with substantial infrastructure and taxpayers’ funds, the residents of Sophia were neglected. the residents were left to develop the area with little aid or recognition from the previous government.
‘C’ Field Sophia road.
Only in the past three years, under the Coalition Government committed to creating better lives for all Guyanese, have there been major upgrades in roads, water and other amenities.
Today, most Sophia residents will agree that there have been vast improvements, among these, the entire Plum Park area has newly paved roads along with street lights and bridges. There is also now a road that paves the entrance through a new bridge to the Guyhoc area. This allows residents living in the south of the area to have access to public transportation via the Guyhoc route.
Not only has Plum Park benefited but every subdivision in Sophia has been allotted new main roads since 2016, and they are still in decent condition.
The Ring Road Project is the first of its kind to ever be executed in Sophia. The road provides a fluent passage for intersection among the fields. The intersection road starts from ‘A’ field and ends at ‘E’ field.
Another significant project that has made a tremendous impact is the C Field Pattesen road which now leads all the way to Dennis Street. Before the APNU government, there was no passable road in the area. Instead, it was an old dam nicknamed “Red Road” by residents of the once muddy community.
Water Access and Sanitation
The lack of potable water was particularly acute in Pattensen Turkeyen Sophia. Those living near the “Blacka” or blackwater trench depended on that to bathe while also relying on rain to fill their water tanks. Doris Peters who is a planter has been living in Pattensen since the 1990s. “We use to go to UG to get drinking water, and the “Blacka” and trench to get water to bathe and water the plants,” she recalled. Abigail Cambridge, a resident for over 35 years in Pattensen noted, “We really suffered where water was concerned because the last government passed us like we were the forgotten people, so we decided to bore the main (pipe) and thief the water.” The woman explained that this was the only way to get access to drinking water since the main pipe didn’t stop to provide water for them on its way to the Cummings Lodge area. She also added that since the government, things have changed a lot.
Other residents along with herself have testified that in 2016, the government’s provision of a water well in the community has enabled them to access water in their yards and homes. In February 2017, a second well was installed by the Guyana Water Incorporated so as to expand the coverage of the water in the communities in Sophia and surrounding areas.
Development of Pattensen Turkeyen
Pattensen Turkeyen is the outer part of the subdivision area. In the year 2017, the current government made some drastic changes. Denise Thomas has been a resident of the community over 30years. She lamented that her experience living there was terrible, for water, roads and electricity were not available to them under the previous government. “Is only now I living a better life, I was living here with my children and I had to walk them through the mud. I walked and fell down with my children in my hands several times. Every day I had to come out washing my feet because they were filled with mud. And the previous government did nothing,” she complained.
ICT Hub
The Ministry of Telecommunications on May 26, 2018, opened a technology lab at the ‘E’ field Community Centre to provide internet access for residents. On the grand-opening day Minister of Public Telecommunications Catherine Hughes declared, “Parents, grandfathers, aunties, we are not leaving you behind. This hub is also for you!” The lab is still functioning and in good condition and it is being fully utilised by the youths and other residents. Keneicia Jones was one of the youths present at the hub when our team visited. Smiling brightly, she explained, “I come to the community centre for the afternoon programme and the computer lab is always open. It helps because I get to do my assignments. We have a printer, and a supervisor is here every day of the week except Sunday.”
Sophia Night School Programme
The pilot programme was established in the Sophia Community Centre in 2016. It caters for people interested in retaking the CSEC examinations. Programme coordinator, Orin Nelson said, “Since the beginning of the CSEC night school in 2016, we have had over 300 registered students from the ages of sixteen to age fifty.” The pilot programme is free and available to students in the area. Over the years, the Ministry of Education has collaborated with organizations to provide textbooks to assist the students. One of the most notable donations was one of 120 textbooks and a few laptops.
Children and Family Centre
Under the PPP government, the Sophia Drop-in Centre facilitated juveniles aged 11-17. In 2010, there was a fire that consumed some of the basic amenities. In 2016, Minister of Social Protection Amna Ally made a vow to construct a new building that will provide better safety for the children. Minister Ally’s initiative became a reality earlier this year at Plum Park with the fulfilment of the new Sophia Children and Family Centre at a cost of $220m. Moreover, this facility will now provide shelter to families who are homeless in the area.
The future of Sophia is as bright as the recently installed street lights. These have encouraged residents who work or study elsewhere to feel safe enough to commute at night and this has meant more taxi services bringing income and economic activity into the community.
But don’t let us tell you. Here’s resident Vincent Paul in his own words: “This government has done so much for this area. All the main roads, and we’re talking about perfect roads, and also street lights. This government has done it for Sophia.”
Alleya Hamiliton.
Images Giovanni Gajie.