Poverty amidst poverty

As much I cringe at the thought of being snobby and privileged, I couldn’t help but feel like it in every moment I spent in this remote land so disparate from my daily life. Although we aren’t the wealthiest in the world, my family was able to experience more in Guyana than the majority of natives living there. Despite being a significant portion of the beautiful Amazon rainforest, many residents of Guyana do not have the money or resources to explore it on their own.

The main modes of transportation in Guyana include taxis, which travel between certain villages, and of course other negligible forms such as horses, bicycles, and boats. Agricultural work serves as the primary occupation for many households in more remote villages and it is the responsibility of all family members to help.

The bulk of buildings typically have no air conditioning and the infrastructure of the country as a whole is poor. Interactions between villages are difficult as the country is primarily connected by a single 2-way road throughout. Although this road split off when in villages, the entirety of my journey through Guyana was made on these few roads and boats which are often not available to impoverished citizens of the country.

As steep as it may sound, poverty in this country can mean certain life or death, as the possibilities of opportunities arising are harsh. As these realities began to unfold in front of my eyes in the 21st century, I became disconcerted with the insignificant fears and uncertainties I fill my life with. Celebrities, social media, and drama are the least of worries for these people. Rather they fill their homes with the necessities of life and carry on each day as such.