Over the River and Beyond

EDITOR: Tucked away in the northeastern pocket of St.Vincent and the Grenadines are the flourishing villages of Sandy Bay, Owia, and Fancy, affectionately called ‘Over the River’.

For years, residents here watched the ocean creep closer, threatening the roads, homes, and livelihoods that connect their communities. In recent decades, these areas have seen a total transformation through the improvement of roads, bridges, and the installation of utilities.

A major threat that, until recently, had not been addressed was the slow but obvious erosion of the coastline, which would eventually compromise the integrity of the road networks in these areas. Today, with the Sandy Bay Coastal Resilience Project, the tide is finally turning. But how exactly is this transformation happening—and what does it mean for the future of the people of these proud indigenous villages?

As indigenous communities, these villages contribute to the nation through agriculture and sports, and it’s important that goods and people are able to commute in and out consistently and without interference.

Because of the mountainous terrain, the roads in this area were constructed along the coastline, thus adding to the complexity of the issue. Roads were therefore vulnerable to the damaging waves rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean.

Anecdotal accounts suggest the current conditions of the coastline are “a joke” compared to what existed many decades ago. Some residents have even said the seas have washed away older roads and recreational playing fields.

One may argue that we cannot fight against nature and that we could relocate people to a safer, more sheltered area. But Sandy Bay is more than just a village; it is a connecting ground for the native people of St.

Vincent and the Grenadines, the Caribs. Our only National Hero once lived here and, as such, the area holds cultural and historical significance, and should be preserved for future generations. In her glory, the magnificent La Soufrière would agree, which is why during her last eruptions in 2021 the width of the beach in Sandy Bay increased drastically, providing more protection than what had existed pre-eruption.