Amerindian Guyanese are Guyanese people who are of indigenous ancestry. They comprise approximately 9.16% of Guyana‘s population. The Amerindians are part of South America but their language (local ones and English) and culture don’t match with the rest of South America, mostly Spanish-speaking.  They are isolated by nature in language and culture and geography as well as lack of utilities that cities enjoy. The Amerindian people are very poor, some say destitute and malnourished.  They are affected adversely by illegal mining and logging, and recently by the news that oil drilling will be happening.  These ventures have brought pollution and dredging of the rivers.  Those activities affect the livelihood and health of the Indigenous people who live close to the rivers.

 At one point the Third Order, Province of the Americas, conducted a small-scale medical mission, but it could only serve a small number of people.  There are many more Indigenous people who need attention. They get no ongoing money from the Province of the Americas, nor do they get any money from the Diocese of Guyana.’  

Between 2021 and 2023 Franciscan Aid have supported two projects in Guyana. You can see the diversity of the situations marked on the map below

The first of these projects, supporting the indigenous communities was presented to Franciscan Aid by the then Minister Provincial of the Americas.

Firstly, in the coastal region around Lake Tapakuma, supporting a parish Mothers’ Union group of unemployed Amerindian women. This coastal project set up to provide heavy-duty and industrial sewing machines to help assist the local women of the area develop their skill base, thus  enabling the potential for them to contribute to the economy of the village and assist in supporting their children and families. This brings a greater stability to the local economy and develop self-esteem in the community as a whole.

We then had a lovely email from the village, thanking us for the machines, but they only had a very short time each day when electricity was available. They offered to return the sewing machines. We decided to fund the solar equipment needed to run the machines.

…..and secondly..

Further, in 2023, by supporting the work of the Third Order Priest in Potamo

At one point the Third Order, Province of the Americas, conducted a small-scale medical mission, but it could only serve a small number of people.  There are many more Indigenous people who need attention. They get no ongoing money from the Province of the Americas, nor do they get any money from the Diocese of Guyana.’  

We are asked to support his continuing work, which was initially started in 2017 but had to be stopped because of Covid. In July 23 he was to pick up where he had to leave off, supporting travel by mini-bus and boat along with hospitality for the 100 orphaned children and their carers, so they can safely travel to school.