About Port Kaituma

Arial View of Port Kaituma

Although an Amerindian settlement had existed along the Kaituma River for some time, it was only after the discovery of manganese at nearby Matthew‟s Ridge that Port Kaituma was developed. Port Kaituma's significance grew further
following the proclamation from the then President of Guyana, Forbes Burham, that Guyana should become more self sufficient by populating the interior of the country. Matthew's Ridge was highlighted as a potential new city, and within Port Kaituma a large secondary school was constructed to educate students from all over Guyana. During its heyday, the school boasted over 800 students, of which most were housed in two large dormitory buildings

Vehicles used for mining in Port Kaituma

  Today, Kaituma serves as the gateway to the nearby jungle   where the now predominant industry of small-scale gold
  mining takes place. The transient nature of many of these pork
  knockers (gold miners) has led to problems of these   hinterlands. This however does not perturb a continual flow of workers through the town, including a recent influx of Brazilians   and Venezuelans. Port Kaituma itself is a network of small
  communities - Citrus Grove, Fitzburg, Compound, Four Mile,   One Mile, Turn Basin, Teacher‟s Quarters, Oronoque and   Canal Bank - that are within walking distance of each other.   Transport is limited to the very occasional minibus, and is   prohibitively expensive.

  An Amerindian panning for gold.
  Port Kaituma's main industry is gold mining
  with camps stretched all over the surrounding
  jungle.

Port Kaituma Focus...

What is the GRCS doing in Port kaituma?

The GRCS through partnership with the American Red Cross launched last September the Caribbean HIV and AIDS Prevention Project (CHAP) in Matarkai Sub Region, Region One - Port Kaituma, Falls Top, Arakaka, Baramita and Five Star.

Mark Holder - Field Officer, CHAP Project-Port Kaituma

Field Officers on the CHAP team have so far met with key stakeholders in each of these communities and formed steering committees in order to meet the objectives of the project.
Mark Holder - Field Officer on the Project noted that the accessibility of the committees is the greatest challenge they face . “we are encouraged everyday regardless of the challenges to continue education on the prevention of HIV and AIDS and condom distribution.” says Mark.

“Awareness and sensitization as well as being able to build relationships is what really creates the impact needed since some Amerindian communities do not believe in the use of condoms“, Quincy Fraser, Assistant Field Officer.

Quincy Fraser - Assistant Field Officer,CHAP Project,
Port Kaituma.

“There‟s been a lot of progress in the community, says Dyal Nannoo, Police Officer in Port Kaituma, some of our community members are trained in first aid now and they know that they need to be using safer sex practices and to continue educating their family and peers.

A Red Cross Volunteer Distributing Condoms and information

on HIV, at a playfield in Port Kaituma