Dear Editor,
Guyana is developing at an impressive rate. The economy is growing rapidly, and significant investments are being made in critical sectors such as education, infrastructure, health and sanitation.
One area that stands to benefit from this trend is the improvement of communities across Guyana, particularly under the government’s Model Village Initiative.
This is a positive development because it comes at a time when Guyana has the chance to reimagine what modern communities should look like going forward. Too often in the past, development was equated with building roads, drains and structures.
The Model Village concept takes a more expansive approach that gives attention to making communities safer, cleaner, better organised, more economically active and more sustainable.
The outreach carried out so far shows that the government is not building from a distance; it is building alongside the grandmothers, the farmers, the small business owners, and the young parents who know their communities best.
This is what true partnership between a government and its people looks like. Citizens are learning about plans to upgrade their communities and have the opportunity to provide input on projects before the completion date.
This is a good approach and something that should continue as the plan rolls out to additional villages. For one, every community has its own unique circumstances. The needs of an urban village on the East Coast will differ from those on the West Coast or even villages in rural, riverine or hinterland areas.
The beauty of this concept is that it should raise the bar for services while taking into account the history, culture and identity of each community.
How does this happen? Officials can work with residents to identify areas for improvement. Simple things like drainage, upgraded recreation areas for children and families, planting more trees, painting facilities and installing better security and fire-safety measures can significantly enhance the daily lives of community members.
None of these things are glamorous on their own. But when bundled together, they can have a transformational effect.
Plans to increase economic activity are welcome. Many of Guyana’s villages are home to vendors, bricklayers, carpenters, painters, farmers, transportation services and other small business owners who provide much-needed services to their communities.
Designating areas for vending, providing commercial spaces for businesses, allocating space for industrial activities such as parking trucks and creating spaces for entertainment can allow vendors to thrive while avoiding unnecessary conflict between vendors and residents.
Citizen buy-in is another benefit of this project. Too often, governments can build schools, hospitals, roads and facilities only for them to be vandalised or neglected by the very citizens who stand to benefit from them.
Community clean-up campaigns, respect for public property and taking pride in one’s home are all ways that residents can help their government’s efforts. The model village concept should seek to empower residents to take greater ownership of their spaces.
Of course, no two Guyanese villages should look the same. Maintaining the unique character of each community is important and should be celebrated. However, baseline standards can and should be set when it comes to essential services.
Residents of a small village far away from Georgetown should expect their environment to be as clean as someone living in a more developed urban area. They should be able to enjoy recreational spaces, use playgrounds without worrying about medication and benefit from strong drainage and road networks.
They should feel safe walking along the streets at night just as much as anyone else in Guyana. The Model Village Initiative has the opportunity to bring this type of equilibrium to communities across Guyana.
Commendation is due to the government for taking this holistic approach to community development. Now it is time to ensure that the proper consultations are held with residents, plans are rolled out transparently and quickly and maintained properly once completed.
Most of all, every community should have an equal opportunity to benefit from this noble endeavour.
Guyana is developing for tomorrow. Let’s not forget to build stronger villages today.