Kartabo is an Indigenous community in the lower Mazaruni area of Region 7. It is home to 435 residents, most of whom have Carib, Arawaks and Akawaio heritage. In 2023, these individuals received G$18,000,000 of Guyana’s forest carbon revenue through the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) 2030 to help develop their communities and improve livelihoods. The residents agreed on 8 projects in the areas shown in the graph below
To secure the prosperity of Kartabo’s future, the community's residents channelled most (≈60%) of their carbon credit cash into 5 synergistic projects that directly target and benefit their youths. These projects are the enhancement of a Playfield and the construction of (i) a Reading Centre, (ii) a School Boat, (iii) a Guard Hut, and (iv) a Dining Hall with a Kitchen for the feeding programme
As a village, Kartabo decided to pursue 100% food security by 2025 through a G$ 5 million project to rear poultry, boost fish catch, and enhance crop production. As this project ramps up, many residents of Kartabo will benefit from affordable, readily available, and wholesome produce. It supplies the school’s feeding programme which further benefits the community’s youth/students.
In terms of infrastructure, a much-needed landing/bridge was built to assist residents especially (school) children to safely and comfortably traverse Kartabo and beyond. Kartabo also provided various tools and equipment for the community’s part-time workforce. These included brush cutters, wheelbarrows, rakes, cutlasses, and hoes.
“As a medium-scale farmer, I received an agricultural grant from the LCDS that helped me a lot to buy tools, prepare my farm and plant more crops which I harvested, sold, and earned a profit to support my family. My work as a CSO is now made easier, and we can get more done in less time. The carbon credits are also a good thing for my son. He benefits from the comfort and healthy food of the new Dining Hall, the security guard that helps to keep him safe, and the Reading Centre that assists him in fostering his love for reading.” – Ms Patrina da Silva: Farmer; Part-time Worker; and Mother
“I did not have enough nets to do the amount of fishing that I wanted, so the nets and other items I got from the LCDS was good for me and I am really happy about it. I catch double the number of fish because of the new nets, so I earn more money. This let me buy a freezer to store fish and improve my business. Later I will get a generator and an outboard engine to further boost my livelihood.” – Mr Andre Jeffrey
“Before the carbon credit revenues, my children faced challenges in getting to school. They had to walk a far way in mud to join a boat for school. Now it is a lot easier for them. It was hard for the adults as well. We had to fetch our goods through the mud and sometimes you would fall with everything. Ever since the LCDS we are landing nicely and moving in and out the village to do our business easily.”– Ms Lunica Singh, Resident
“The village recognized the need to improve the ability of children and adults to read, but it was difficult to finance the reading centre building without the carbon credits, so we are grateful for the LCDS that will also help us to get a school boat to transport the children safely and easily plus ease the parents financially. Personally, these projects allow me to work in my village and employ some of its youths.” – Mr Anish McShawn
Mr Lloyd Williams is Kartabo’s insightful Chairperson who shared his perspectives on the carbon credit programme that he has termed, led to unprecedented development in Guyana’s Indigenous communities. He is very pleased that the youths of Kartabo will have a better life and brighter future due to the community’s variety of carbon credit projects. Looking ahead, Kartabo plans to award scholarships and build a guesthouse with its 2024 LCDS allocation.
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