Lima Sands

A small rural community in Guyana works together to get things done

By Jean MacInnis
October 2002

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article

Happiness is something that doesn't come at will. It comes in helping other folk. While serving in Guyana, my husband John and I spent time among the Amerindian community of Lima Sands on the Essequibo Coast. The Amerindian people have a very high level of community and church spirit.

John and I led the service at St. Francis of Assisi parish in Lima Sands two Sundays a month. We also spent Monday afternoons in the community, giving classes in the Catholic faith, and visiting. In the beginning everyone was so shy, but soon we became very comfortable with each other.

On one particular day, after classes, we spent the afternoon 'gaffing' (chatting). The people are so very interesting. Uncle Joe, a member of the parish council, grew up on the Pomeroon River. He told us stories about his school days and had us all laughing.

Children of St. Francis of Assisi parish enjoy a visit with Scarboro missioner Jean MacInnis at their church. Lima Sands, Guyana.

The church in Lima Sands has a sand floor and four posts on each side with crosspieces holding up a thatched roof. In February, Uncle Joe took it upon himself to build six more benches and kneelers for this growing church.

Saturday, February 23, is Republic Day (commemorating the Birth of the Republic), and is celebrated with Mashramani (Guyana's carnival). This year it coincided with the Islam holy day of Eid-ul-Azha (commemorating Abraham's willingness to offer his son as a sacrifice to God).

Uncle Joe's friend Mr. Bashir is a Muslim and they went to school together on the Pomeroon. Mr. Bashir knew Joe was making these benches, so he stopped by the church on Sunday after the service and introduced himself.

Very interested in community service, Mr. Bashir felt that on this Muslim feast day he would like to donate something to the church. He came to tell us that he had donated the paint and the brushes, and had arranged for someone to paint the new pews.

Of course we were all extremely happy. In the midst of our excitement, Uncle Joe turned to me and asked: "And what colour do you think we should paint the pews?" I hesitated. He had made the benches out of a lovely wood that would be beautiful if left unpainted.

"Well," Joe said, "what about light blue?" To this, Mr. Bashir replied, "Yes, yes Joe, that's a really good idea."

Blue is beautiful. But the "light blue" is really electric blue, one of the few colours of paint available in Guyana. It takes a little getting used to.

Now that they had new pews, the parishioners decided to have a 'bring and buy' to raise money for a cement floor for the church. They held the fundraiser at the crossroads adjacent to the beach, where we would attract more customers.

The event was a success. With the money raised, the men were able to buy cement and sand. The day they began preparing the floor, everyone helped, borrowing shovels and trowels if they had to. The women made 'cookup' (pot luck). My husband John helped haul water from the trench for mixing the cement.

At the end of the day, all had sore muscles, but the pride of accomplishment and camaraderie glowed on everyone's faces.

The next Sunday, we were almost reluctant to stand in the chapel for fear we might "dirty up" the floor with the surrounding sand. Margaret, a parishioner, swept the floor with a pine broom both before and after service.

All of us were so proud of the cement floor and it was often a part of our discussions: "Dis rain, when she does come down haaarrrrdddd, dis rain, dis does come down heavyeeee and wet up dis concrete. Dis does make big mess on dis floor."

Uncle Joe said that the thatched roof did not hang far enough over the concrete floor, which allowed the rain to come in. The group generally nodded in agreement.

Uncle Joe continued, "Wees needs an eaves trough." For those who did not understand what he meant by eaves trough, he said: "A trough for the water to fall in like so," and gave a little demonstration.

I asked which type is better with the troulie roof-the homemade zinc eaves trough or the plastic eaves trough. Everyone looked at Uncle Joe and began to laugh, at which point I was smiling, too, because their laughter is infectious.

Uncle Joe said to me: "Well, mizzy Jean, wees does usually use bamboo." Bertie picked up a short piece lying nearby and with his cutlass he simply slit it lengthwise. It amazed me. Bertie explained that they could do this quite easily with a 15-foot piece of bamboo and then tie it with nibbi (a vine used for weaving and furniture-making) to the crossbeam of the church.

I exclaimed, "Hey, man, that's really neat!" and we all really started to laugh.

After serving in Guyana, Scarboro lay missioners John and Jean MacInnis have returned to Canada to coordinate Scarboro's Lay Mission Office.

Return to Table of Contents
Print Article