MEET 83-year-old Princess Lynk. Originally from Beterverwagting, East Coast of Demerara, she moved to the Mabaruma sub-region since in her early 40s and has never returned to the coastland.

During the bustling morning hours at Kumaka, a minibus driver calls out for a drink. Another customer calls for a serving of pholourie. Someone would then request the price of her bananas. And given the location of her stall close to the centre of business activities at Kumaka, Lynk’s days as a vendor seem very busy.

She told Guyana Chronicle during a recent trip to the area that she lives in the Hosororo Stretch, a section of the roadway between Hosororo Hill and Kumaka, the business hub of the town of Mabaruma.
“I like this place man, since I come here I never went back home,” she said, adding that “North West is my home” as it is a very peaceful place.

Lynk is convinced she will never return to the coastland. She said that earlier this month her granddaughter was robbed in the city, and this she noted, is one of several reasons she will stay in Mabaruma.
The elderly woman said when she lived in the capital city one could have walked around without fear of being robbed. For decades, she said, she has never witnessed or heard of an armed robbery at Kumaka.

Lynk’s daughter has been trying to convince her to visit Georgetown, but according to the elderly woman, she continues to wish her good luck.
“Me ain’t want to see town, I know what Georgetown look like,” she said as she recalled her days in the capital city.

“The theatre used to have shows. The four o’clock, one o’clock and other times I used to go, all the shows I use to go watch,” Lynk said. She said the lifestyle in the North West is vastly different. “I like here because its quiet you know; some people said they can’t live here but for me, I rather live here,” she said.

Lynk had moved to Venezuela and lived there for a few months but soon after returned to Kumaka where she continued selling food and snacks to passers-by.
She said her grandson assisted her in re-starting her current business, and according to her, she will continue to sell to secure her well-being. “This is what I have to do, so I’ll do it by God’s grace,” Lynk said with a smile.