St. Ignatius 1909 had a few family houses around the area. Near to the farms and hunting ground located at the crook of the Kanuku Mountains. Father Kerry Elwes was also a Jesuit Priest who came to establish a nation to the Amerindians of the Rupununi. The spot chosen was Ariwa – a Makushi word which is a name of a particular fish – which is located on the right bank of the Takatutu Riveron the Brazilian border. The missionaries established a base and dedicated it to the founder of the Jesuits and became known as St. Ignatius mission.
Today St. Ignatius village is one of the largest Amerindian communities in the central Rupununi, which accommodates over 1,000 residents. This is governed by an elected village council made up a Toshao, Deputy and Councilors.
| COMMUNITY PROFILE | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Ignatius |
| Satellite/s | Kumu and Quarrie |
| Region | 9 |
| Area of Land | 6,986 sq miles (homestead) |
| Titled/Untitled | Titled |
| Name of Former Toshao | Wilson Laurintino |
| Name of Current Toshao (2012) | Ms. Yusa Xavier |
| Total Number of Councillors | 15 (3 Senior Councillors) |
| Number of CSO’s | 19 |
| Total Population | 1625 |
| Number of households | 400 |
| 1 st Language | Wapichan / Makushi / Patemonia |
| 2 nd Language | English/Portuguese |
| Religion | Predominantly Roman Catholic/Christian |
| Means of communication | Mobile phones, landline phones, radio sets |
| Means of Electricity | Generator, Solar Panels |
| Types of Transportation | Bus, trucks, cars, tractor, land cruiser, jeep |
| Nearest Town/Main Village for Market Centre | Lethem |
| Soil Type | Laterite, Loam, Sandy, Clay, and Mixed soil |
| Source of Water Supply | Hand dug wells, potable water – exposed water hole |
| Major economic activities | Brick making, farming, fishing, construction, |
| Name of Nursery School | St. Ignatius Nursery School |
| Number of Nursery School Students | 81 |
| Name of Primary School | St. Ignatius Primary school |
| Number of Primary School Students | 258 |
| Name of Secondary School | St. Ignatius Secondary school |
| Number of Secondary School Students | 772 |
| HEALTH FACILITY | |
| Type of Health Facility | nil |
| Health Personnel | nil |
| OTHER MAIN BUILDINGS | |
| Village Benab, Multi-Purpose Building, Village Office, Presbytery training Centre (run by Jesuit priests), Sport Pavilion, Roman Catholic Church and Presbytery (where priests live) | |
| INFRASTRUCTURE | |
| Roads, Culverts, Bridge, Electricity | |
| Other Infrastructure | Commercial Business |
| EQUIPMENT | |
| Tractor/ Trailer, Brush cutter (1), Radio Set (1) | |
| GROUPS | |
| St. Ignatius Sports Club, Shine Youth Group, Helping Hands Women’s Group – P.P.P. |