Pattensen, Turkeyen (Sophia)

Pattensen, Turkeyen (Sophia) is an area of Georgetown, Guyana. The area developed during 1986, when land previously used for the cultivation of rice and rearing of fish began to be occupied. The area was called “farmers field” since it was used mainly for farming. However, a few years later almost 400 persons had moved into the area. It was all swamp and mud when persons decided to use the area for housing.^[1] Even though settling on the land was considered illegal at the time, persons continued to occupy the land and by 1985-1991, bridges creating linkages to other sections east, now known as Liliendaal and Pattensen (south) were constructed. Soon the area became known as one of the largest “squatter” settlements. This caught the attention of law enforcement officials who started a campaign to restrict persons from expanding. However, zeal for development and property ownership coupled with predominantly vulnerable, low income women and men who needed land and a place to call home resulted in mobilization and lobbying by “squatters” for the regularization of the area. Persistence and determination resulted in the area becoming one of the largest squatting settlements in the country to be converted into a housing scheme commonly known as “Sophia”.

Geography

Sophia is located in Georgetown, Guyana and encompasses a large area bounded by the Downer Street Canal in the East, the Eastern Highway and Ganges Street in the West, the Lamaha conservancy in the South and the railway embankment as the northern boundary. However, Lilliendaal (south), Pattensen (south), Turkeyen (south) and Cummings Park are areas east of Sophia that are all included for the sake of “common ground” whenever Sophia is thought of as a catchment area.

Population

The area is subdivided into five quadrants or ‘fields’ that together contain 4700 house lots, including reserve sites for play grounds and other community projects, and 5000 households . The estimated population is 30,000 people . Men and women comprise 47 and 52 percent respectively; and 48 percent are estimated to be children.

Development

While Sophia has benefited from some infrastructural development —limited paved roads, limited electricity supply — other basics public goods like potable water for households, a community-wide sewage system and regulated sanitation remain largely unattended . There is no private sector presence in the community other than small neighbourhood businesses to provide services as part of its social responsibility. Even though faith based organizations have a heavy presence in the community only a limited number of social services are provided by the group to the community. A multi- purpose community centre, a youth vocational centre (established by the Catholic Church in 2002), and a small youth friendly space serves as recreation for youth. Other facilities are located in the community. These include a Care Centre for children removed from unsafe homes, a juvenile detention centre and a training centre for youth. Schools include nursery, primary, a special needs school and a centre for children with disabilities. A health clinic and a police station are also present to serve the community.

References

Coordinates: 6°48′53″N 58°07′02″W / 6.8146°N 58.1173°W / 6.8146; -58.1173