Wakapau calls for doctors, transportation

…during Heritage celebrations

Villagers of the Amerindian community of Wakapau, in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) last Friday held their Heritage Day celebrations at St Lucia’s Mission – an island in close proximity to the village.
Although Wakapau is a small village, there is a Village Council, a health centre and a nursery, primary and secondary school. The village’s name was derived from the Carib word ‘Wakoqua’ which means pigeons, a type of bird which inhabits the village.
During a visit to the community, Toshao Howard Cornelius was elated as he expressed what has been happening in Wakapau and other Amerindian communities over the past months.
Some of the activities which visitors and locals were engaged in included cultural performances of Indigenous songs, poems, dances and music. Games of tug-o-war, sack race, and the paiwari and cassiri drinking completion were also played, while patrons enjoyed diverse Amerindian food and drinks.
Calls were made for Central Government to focus on these communities since there is a need for healthcare professionals to tend to the people. The community doctor lives six miles away from the health centre and is forced to travel this journey every day since the living quarters in the village, although constructed, is yet to be furnished. A state-of-the-art medical centre is also needed since many would have to travel all the way to the Essequibo Coast to obtain medical treatment.
Another worrying factor is the requirement for adequate transportation services to enter and exit the village. At present, three outboard engines are needed to facilitate the population of over 2500 persons.
The village has been faced with the epidemic of constant migration of youths. The high unemployment rate has also led to drug abuse.