Providence is a village of Paramacca Maroons in the commune of Apatou at the confluence of the Maroni River and the Beïman Creek in French Guiana.

The village can only be accessed by boat via the Maroni River, and is located about three hours south of Apatou. The children in Providence and the nearby islands used to go to school in Stoelmanseiland, however the Surinamese Interior War (1986-1992) caused the closure of the school, leaving about 300 children in the region without access to education. In 2012, a school was constructed in the village.

Providence, French Guiana

In 1991, gold was discovered in the Beïman Creek near the village. The main concession is the Esperance Gold Mine which is being exploited by the Newmont Corporation, however the discovery has attracted garimpeiros (illegal gold miners) to the region. In 2017, the French Development Agency started a project to provide the village with clean drinking water.

Providence, French Guiana

References

Apatou

Paramaka settlements

Villages in French Guiana

Providence, French Guiana