Project Title

Causes and consequences of the increasing migration in the Black Bush Polder area and the
effects it has on the remaining residents.

1
Introduction

Over the past decades there have been a drastic increase in the number of emigrants in Guyana,
especially in Region 6, East Berbice Corentyne. The population has declined from 152,673 in
1980 to 109,431 in 2012, hence a community located in the area was chosen.

Black Bush Polder is a farming community which extends to a distance of twenty two miles, and
is located about seven miles south of the Corentyne Public road. Four main areas make up this
community: Lesbeholden, Johanna, Mibicuri and Yakusari. Each of these areas has a north and
south section, there is also a small village called Zambia between Johanna and Mibicuri.

Black Bush Polder has a population of about six thousand residents and the main crop cultivated
is rice, which is also the main source of employment for occupants. Most of these residents are
involved in either large or small scale farming and some do cash crop farming and livestock
rearing. Large amounts of Guyana’s rice, vegetables and ground provision used for both
exporting and local consumption is produced in this area. Due to polders being at peril from
flooding, farmers often suffer losses to their crops, hence the investment in drainage and
irrigation in the region. Some of these factors have contributed to emigration, therefore the
researcher found it crucial to investigate the causes and consequences of migration.

In order to complete this project, survey design was used. A survey is a strategy that directs a
researcher in planning and implementing a study in a way that is most likely to achieve the
intended goal.

General Objectives of the study:

The objectives of the study are:-

(1) To identify and describe the causes of migration

(2) To Identify and describe the consequences of migration

2
Methodology:

The research design used in this study was non experimental method since the researcher cannot
control, manipulate or alter the predictor variable or subjects, but instead, rely on interpretation,
observation or interactions to come to a conclusion.

Limitations:

 Receiving feedback from questionnaires, some residents refused to answer certain

questions.

 Some residents failed to return questionnaires on time.

Target population

In this research the target population was residents of Black Bush Polder. The study was
conducted at Lesbeholden, one of the four villages that makes up the community of Black Bush
Polder. This area was randomly selected; the names of the four communities were placed in a
bag and Lesbeholden was drawn. The sample frame was forty members from the community of
Lesbeholden, these members were also randomly selected by placing the surnames of the
residents in the community in a box and forty was drawn.

In order to investigate and evaluate data on the problem statement, the researcher used both
primary and secondary sources of data collection. Primary source included forty residents from
the area, while Secondary sources include the internet, publications, newspaper articles and
research reports. The feedback from the sources especially the primary sources enabled the
researcher to gather valid information. The instrument used for the data collection was mainly
questionnaires. A questionnaire is a set of printed or written questions with a choice of answers,
devised for the purposes of a survey or statistical study. The researcher found this instrument
design to be appropriate for the investigation since it is adequate and gets directly to the point. It
is easier for the residents to fill out and also simple for the researcher to analyze and tabulate

3
data.The questionnaires comprised eighteen questions and the data gathered was analysed and
discussed using graphs.

The data collection process involved distributing questionnaires to the residents and allowing
them to fill it out in a day. The data obtained from each questionnaire was then transferred to
numbers and percentages in order to obtain suitable graphs and tables. The data entry techniques
was done using a computer system to enter and record information. The data was secured by
keeping a backup document of the internal assessment on a Flash drive and also in the
researcher’s email.

4
Organization of data:
This discussion is categorised under three main topics:

 Characteristics of population

 Factors influencing decisions to migrate

 Consequences of migration

Question #7 from survey questionnaire: How many relatives or close friends of yours do you
know have left the community permanently to go live overseas?

No. of relatives No. of respondents

1 1
2 3
3 3
4 23
5 and over 10

Question #8 from survey questionnaire: Where do they currently reside?

Country No. of immigrants residing in country

The Caribbean 1
United Kingdom 1
United States 28
Canada 10

5
Question #9 from survey questionnaire: What do you think were the reasons for their departure?

Reasons No. of persons

Unsuitable Political Climate 4
Improper infrastructure 10
Poor access to services 12
High risk of hazards 12
Escalating crime rate 26
Unemployment 18
No relatives and friends in community 8

Question #10 from survey questionnaire: How long ago have they migrated?

No. of years No. of emigrants

<1 3
1-4 6
5-9 16
10-14 7
15 and over 8

Question #12 from survey questionnaire: How has their departure impacted the community
and/or the relatives they have left behind?

Impact No. of respondents

Decline in community population 15
Brain drain 12
Money is sent to persons from relatives 32
abroad
Reduction with pressure for jobs in the 13
community
Division of families 8

6
Presentation of data:

Figure 1: Relatives that live abroad permanently

1
3
2%
10 7%
3
25% 8%
1
2
3
4
5 & More

23
58%

Source: Questionnaire

From Figure 1 it can be established that most (23) persons have four relatives abroad while the
remaining persons have more than or less than four relatives living overseas permanently.

7
 Figure 2: Countries in which relatives reside

28
27
26
25
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
No. of Persons

17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
The Caribbean United Kingdom United States Canada
Country

Source: Questionnaire

According to Figure 2, the country with the highest number of immigrants from Black Bush
Polder is the USA with twenty eight persons (70%), while The Caribbean and UK has the lowest
(2.5%) immigrant each.

8
 Figure 3: Reasons for Leaving

8 4 Reasons
9% 5% 10
11%
18 Political Climate
20% 12
13% Lack of Infrastructure
Poor Access to Services
12 Risks/Hazards
13%
26 Lack of Security
29%
Employment
No relatives in community

Source: Questionnaire

Figure 3 shows reasons why many people migrated from Black Bush Polder. Lots of persons had
more than one reason. The highest (29%), left due to lack of security, while the lowest (5%) left
due to unsatisfactory political climate.

9
 Figure 4: Number of Years Relatives Emigrated

18
17
16
15
14
13
12
No. of Persons

11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Years

Source: Questionnaire

Most (40%) of the relative migrated between six and ten years, while the remaining persons
migrated less than five or more than nine years as shown in Figure 4.

10
 Figure 5: Impacts of Emigration on community

Impacts
8 Decline In Population
10% 15
19%
13 Brain Drain
16%

12
15% Money is sent for relatives

Reduction of pressure with

32 jobs
40%
Division of families

Source: Questionnaire

Figure 5 shows effects of emigration. The negative effects make up 44%, whereas the positive
make up 56%.

11
Analysis of Findings:
Measures of Central Tendency
Findings based on Figure 4- No. of years relatives migrated

Years Frequency Midpoint Midpoint × 𝑓𝑥2

𝑓 𝑥 Frequency
𝑓𝑥
1-5 9 3 27 729
6-10 16 8 128 16384
11-15 7 13 91 8281
16-20 8 18 144 20736
Total ∑ 𝑓=40 ∑ 𝑓𝑥 =390 ∑ 𝑓𝑥 2 = 46130

∑ 𝑓𝑥
Mean: 𝑥̅ =
𝑛
390
= = 9.75
40

Median:
𝑛⁄
2−∑fί
L+( )×c
𝑓𝑚

40⁄
2 −9
5.5+( )× 5
16

=8.9

Variance:
(∑ 𝑓𝑥)2
S2 = ∑ 𝑓𝑥2 –
𝑛

𝑛−1

12
 (390)2
= 46130 –
40
40 − 1
=1085.3

Standard Deviation:

S= √𝑠 2 = √1085.32 = 32.9

Correlation:
Reasons Impacts
4 15
10 12
12 32
26 13
18 8

Table showing Correlation between the reasons to migrate and the impact of migration on the
community of Black Bush Polder.

13
 35

30

25

20
Reason

15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Impact

Reason (x) Impact (y) xy x2 y2

4 15 60 16 225
10 12 120 100 144
12 32 384 144 1024
26 13 388 676 169
18 8 144 324 64
∑x=70 ∑y=80 ∑xy=1096 ∑x =1260
2
∑y =1626
2

r= n(∑xy) – (∑x)(∑y)

√[𝑛∑𝑥 2 – (∑x)2 ] [n∑y2 – (∑y)2 ]

r= 5(1096) – (70)(80)

√(5 × 1260) − 702 ) × (5 × 1626) − 802)

r= -120 = -0.077 or - 0.1

√1400 × 1730

14
Discussion of Findings
After conducting this investigation, a bounty of information was provided which appropriately
addressed each objective. From the data gathered, it was established that all participants who
answered the questionnaire had relatives living abroad permanently. The number of years these
relatives emigrated and the countries they left to reside in were depicted on graphs. The preferred
country was the United States of America with 70%.

From Figure 3 in the presentation of data, we see the various reasons why people migrated. Some
of these factors include occupation, lack of proper infrastructure and reunification with family.
Another reason for leaving is the poor services. The services in Black Bush Polder include
education, health and recreation, which are all below standard hence influencing residents to
want to migrate. In the area there is only one nursery, primary and secondary school, which are
all located in the same building. Due to this fact, parents are forced to send their children out of
the community to schools in other villages and regions just to be away from the clustered
environment.

There is only one health centre in Black Bush Polder and it is graded as one, which is the lowest
level. The area also has recreation centres but these are generally in the form of playgrounds and
open fields which are not properly maintained and are filled with weeds and during rainy season
potholes are formed.

The last graph showed the impacts of emigration on the community. Like every other problem,
emigration too has many advantages and disadvantages, especially in the area/country that
persons migrated from. Due to emigration there is often a decrease in population, both in the area
and country persons migrated from. Most emigrants are from the younger, working age groups
and this in turn leads to brain drain, where skilled/ highly trained persons emigrate which is
another negative consequence of the sending country. On the positive side there are some
advantages of emigration, such as money is sent for relatives. When people emigrate and settle
down, they often send money to assist relatives who reside in the developing countries until these
relatives are ready to migrate themselves. Another advantage of emigration is the reduction of
pressure with jobs. Often in these populated areas like Black Bush Polder it is difficult to get
jobs, so when lots of persons migrate, it is easier for the remaining ones to get work faster.

15
From the calculations it can be recognised that the average mean of the number of years relatives
migrated is 9.75 and the variance and standard deviation are 1085.3 and 32.9 respectively.

The Correlation coefficient between the reasons to migrate and the impact of migration on the
community of Black Bush Polder is negative. A negative correlation indicates the two variables
move in opposite directions, and that relationship gets stronger as the correlation gets closer to
negative one.

16
Recommendations

To help mitigate emigration in Black Bush Polder, it is recommended that research should be
done to analyse what would encourage persons to stay in the area permanently, also playgrounds
and health facilities should be improved, there should be more police in the area to protect
dwellers so they would feel safer to live in the community.

Conclusion

The aims of the study which includes the major causes and consequences of migration in the
Black Bush Polder area were successfully identified and described. Some main causes include
lack of security, family reunification just to name a few, with lack of security being the major
reason for emigration. Also the consequences of migration both negative and positive which
include money is sent for families, brain drain were identified and described.

This study was conducted at Lesbeholden Black Bush Polder and these findings were achieved
through the method of data collection used which was questionnaires and forty residents were
selected to complete them.
Some major findings in this study were the impacts of migration, which included both positive
and negative, reasons for migrating and also the characteristics of population.

Reference

Crawshaw, J., & J.Chambers. (2014). A concise course in Advanced Level Statistics. Oxford
University.
J.Crashaw, & J.Chambers. (1991). A Concise Course in A-Level Statistics with Worked Examples
Second edition. ELBS .

17
Appendix
1) Age:

[ ] 20-24

[ ] 25-29

[ ] 30-34

[ ] 35-39

[ ] 40-44

[ ] 45-49

[ ] 50 or more than 50

2) Gender:

[ ] Male

[ ] Female

3) Length of residency in the community:

[ ] Less than 1 year

[ ] 1 – 4 years

[ ] 5 – 9 years

[ ] 10 – 12 years

[ ] 12 years or more

4) Are you currently employed?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

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5) If you have answered ‘Yes’ to the previous question, what is your current occupation?

[ ] Teacher

[ ] Farmer

[ ] Truck Driver

[ ] Shopkeeper

[ ] Nurse

6) What is your income per month?

[ ] Less than $20,000

[ ] $20,000-$30,000

[ ] $30,000-$40,000

[ ] $40, 000 – 50,000

[ ] More than $50,000

7) How many relatives or close friends of yours do you know have left the community

permanently to go live overseas?

[]1

[]2

[]3

[]4

[ ] 5 or more than 5

19
8) Where do they currently reside?

[ ] The Caribbean

[ ] United Kingdom

[ ] United States

[ ] Canada

[ ] If other, please state “______”

9) What do you think were the reasons for their departure?

[ ] Political climate, such as bad governmental policies and regulations

[ ] Lack of proper infrastructure, such as roads and housing

[ ] Poor access to services, such as health and higher educational facilities

[ ] High risk of hazards, for example, flooding

[ ] Happenings of crime with the lack of security

[ ] Little to no chances for employment

[ ] No relatives and friends within the community

10) How long ago have they migrated?

[ ] Less than 1 year

[ ] 1-4 years

[ ] 5-9 years

[ ] 10-14 years

[ ] 15 or more than 15 years

20
11) What do you think were the reasons in the current country of residence that pulled them

to that country?

[ ] Closeness to family and friends

[ ] Better access to services such as education and healthcare

[ ] Security and little to no happenings of crime

[ ] Low risks of hazards, such as flooding

[ ] Good and inviting quality of infrastructure, such as roads and housing

[ ] High chances for employment

[ ] Agreeable political climate and policies

12) How has their departure impacted the community and/or the relatives they have left

behind?

[ ] Decline in the community’s population

[ ] Loss of the community’s skilled and professional workers

[ ] Money is sent from the persons overseas to family and relatives

[ ] Reduction with pressure for jobs in the community, since persons leave

[ ] Division of families, for example, the mother leaving the father

13) Do you have any intentions or desires of leaving the community to reside overseas

permanently?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

21
14) If you have answered ‘Yes’ to the previous question. Which country or region would you

like to go to?

[ ] The Caribbean

[ ] United Kingdom

[ ] United States

[ ] Canada

[ ] If other, please state “______”

15) What would be your reasons for going to that country?

[ ] Closeness to family and friends

[ ] Better access to services such as education and healthcare

[ ] Security and little to no happenings of crime

[ ] Low risks of hazards, such as flooding

[ ] Good and inviting quality of infrastructure, such as roads and housing

[ ] High chances for employment

[ ] Agreeable political climate and policies

22
16) What would be your reasons for leaving the community?

[ ] Political climate, such as bad governmental policies and regulations

[ ] Lack of proper infrastructure, such as roads and housing

[ ] Poor access to services, such as health and higher educational facilities

[ ] High risk of hazards, for example, flooding

[ ] Happenings of crime with the lack of security

[ ] Little to no chances for employment

[ ] No relatives and friends within the community

17) Do you think that migration (emigration) from the community of Black Bush Polder can

be prevented?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

18) If you have answered ‘Yes’ to the previous question, how do you think that emigration

from the community of Black Bush Polder can be prevented?

[ ] Construction of better infrastructure

[ ] Improved access to services, such as health and education

[ ] Lessening of hazard risks to the community, for example, flooding

[ ] Improved security, for example, the presence of police

[ ] Opened opportunities for employment

23