Saxacalli Today PDF Print E-mail
Presently the population of Saxacalli is approximately 250 persons living at Saxacalli – 40 families with approximately 75 women and 80 men. The administrative structure of the village is a simple one with a Community Development Council comprising a Chairman and six Councillors. There is also the presence of a trained Headteacher and a Community Health Worker who play an integral role in the affairs of the village.
         
The village infrastructure consists of two schools, one newly constructed by the Social Impact Amelioration Programme (SIMAP), a Presbyterian church, and a visitor’s hut.

The community also posses a boat which was built by the village and an engine donated by a generous businessman. There are no police stations in the village and in the event of incidents the nearest help is from the military outpost at Makouria, approximately 5 miles upriver.

Most of the economic activity at Saxakalli is centred on logging which is done in the backlands of the village, up the creeks and on grants owned by coastlanders and outsiders. Over the years there has been almost wanton cutting by villagers to the extent that they now have to go further and further into the forest. The village does not have grants or lease over areas for logging. Persons, if they are not working for grant owners would be allowed to cut on the grant lands but have to pay royalties to the GFC as well as land sharing to the lease/grant holder. The main harvest species are crabwood, silverballi (furniture wood), purple heart wallaba (posts and staves) and simarupa. Greenheart is sometimes cut but it is hard to locate. Once the wood is cut it is then floated down to Parika.

Fishing is done on a subsistence scale using line or seine. These can be found in the vicinity of the village and alongside nearby creeks. Main species caught are Pacu, Basha, Cumma cumma, Haimara , Cartaback. It has been reported that in recent times the seines are getting smaller and smaller and as such even the young ones are being caught. It is apparent that it is more difficult to fish. Farming is done on a subsistence scale within the village though some persons have individual farms in the creeks, mainly Tiger Creek planting ground provisions.

The soil is very good especially for citrus and some cash-crops but there is a severe threat posed by the Acoushi ants and difficulties in ready access to markets.
Some members of the community do hunt for subsistence purposes targeting mainly labba, deer, bush-cow and wild hog. Over the years it has become increasingly challenging due to inland migration and reduced populations of target species.
It is reported that land mining was taking place in the nearby Groete creek where at one stage over 10 operations were noted. Some of this is legitimate with claims issued while others were illegal. Presently there is distinct discoloration of the water in Groete creek.
 
You are here  : Home Saxacalli The Community Saxacalli Today