Port Kaituma: The Community Beyond the Tragedy of the Sunken Ferry

Barima Waini, GUYANA — 23 Aug, 2026

In the aftermath of the MV Barima tragedy,  Guyana Tapestry travelled one of the most remote, resilient, and historically significant communities in our country—Port Kaituma, located in Region One – Barima-Waini, in the county of Essequibo. From what is known from the ships manifest, most of the victims and survivors of the catastrophe hail from this and surrounding areas.

For many Guyanese living on the coast in Georgetown, Port Kaituma is a place we hear about, but many have never visited. Yet for thousands of Guyanese, this community is home. It is where families raise their children, send them to school, where miners and other business owners earn a living, and where generations have helped shape the story of Guyana's northwest.

Nestled along the Kaituma River, Port Kaituma serves as an important gateway to the interior. Surrounded by dense rainforest and connected more by rivers and airstrips than highways, life here moves to a different rhythm than in Georgetown or on the coasts. The community's history is deeply intertwined with Guyana's development. It is known internationally for events that brought global attention to this region decades ago, the Jonestown Masaacre, but for the people who live here, Port Kaituma is much more than a chapter in history.

Every day, residents navigate challenges that many coastal communities rarely encounter. Transportation can be difficult. Goods often travel long distances before reaching local shops. Medical services, education, and economic opportunities require resilience and innovation. Yet despite these challenges, the people of Port Kaituma continue to build businesses, raise families, and contribute to Guyana's growing economy.

The surrounding region is rich in natural resources and biodiversity. Mining, forestry, small-scale agriculture, fishing, and commerce all play important roles in supporting livelihoods. The area is home to Indigenous communities whose traditions and knowledge remain an important part of the region's identity.

Today, however, Port Kaituma finds itself connected to a story that has touched the entire nation. Many of the families affected by the MV Barima tragedy call this region home. Behind every headline and every statistic are mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, friends, neighbors, and colleagues whose lives are deeply rooted in communities like Port Kaituma.

 As we walk these streets and speak with residents, we are reminded that national tragedies are ultimately local stories. They are felt most deeply in the homes, churches, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods where people know one another by their first and community false names. But even in moments of sorrow, the spirit of Port Kaituma shines through. This is a community built on perseverance. A community where neighbors support neighbors. A community that understands both hardship and hope.

 As we continue our journey through Port Kaituma, we invite you to look beyond the map and beyond the headlines. Discover the people, the culture, the history, and the strength of a community that represents the very best of Guyana.

This is Port Kaituma, a community whose story deserves to be told beyond the tragedy of the sunken ferry.