Bethany Village is a mission located on the Araburia River, a tributary three miles up the Supenaam River in Pomeroon-Supenaam, Essequibo in Guyana.

Bethany Village
Bethany Mission
Mission
Bethany Village is located in Guyana
Bethany Village
Bethany Village
Location in Guyana
Coordinates: 6°59′47″N 58°37′57″W / 6.9964°N 58.6325°W / 6.9964; -58.6325
Country Guyana
RegionPomeroon-Supenaam
Government
 • ToshaoSonia Latchman[1]
Population
 (2012)[2]
 • Total
526

Overview

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Bethany is an Amerindian settlement that started as a Seventh-day Adventist community, and derived its name from the bible.[3] The main access to the coast is via the Supenaam River to the Town of Supenaam,[3] but there is also an airstrip located 1 mile from the centre of the community. Bethany is next to another Amerindian Village, Mashabo.

Settlement began in the 1880s due to the close proximity to the forest for logging, as well as a nearby Dutch sawmill at the time. Logging continues to be important for the village.[4] Small scale farming is done,[3] producing bora, pak choi, eddo, yam, plantain and pumpkin,[4] but capturing of wild life is prohibited.

Public services

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Bethany has a primary and nursery school, community centre, recreational park, health centre, an airstrip, a Seventh-Day Adventist Church.[4] It also has a Seventh-Day denominated medical missionary college. Travel to the village is by boat, and Guyana Adventist Medical Aviation Service provides flights for medical emergencies.[5]

Snakes are prevalent in and around the village, and have been known to take off with domesticated animals of Bethany residents.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Bethany on lockdown following rise in COVID-19 cases". 25 May 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2021.
  2. ^ "2012 Population by Village". Statistics Guyana. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d "Bethany revisited". Stabroek News. Retrieved 29 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Scenic Bethany". Guyana Chronicle. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
  5. ^ "From Bethany, Supenaam with blessings". Kaieteur News. 2016-09-25. Retrieved 2021-01-07.