53 years of serving schoolchildren

DHARAMDAI Ramrattan, better known as “Aunty Bootie,” has been providing healthy and tasty snacks for schoolchildren for the past 53 years at the Gibson Primary School, Unity Village, East Coast Demerara.

This kind, mild-mannered and endearing woman is a mother figure and a role model to the children. She never overcharges them and even if they are short of cash, she would gift them snacks daily.

Aunty Bootie told the Pepperpot Magazine that she started selling at the school at 21 years old when she left her home village of Enmore after marriage and came to live in Lancaster.

She related that the marriage life was new to her and she started a family, eventually bearing four children who are now all grown up with their own families. At that time, the new mother began to sell to supplement her husband’s income.

The 71-year-old said at first when she started selling she used to be ashamed to come out with her bags to go sell, but now she likes her job, since it is honest and it provides for herself and ailing husband.

This outgoing woman resides at Sir David Rose Housing Scheme and is now the sole bread-winner for her home, since her spouse is ill.

The mother of four added that even though things are a bit slow in terms of sales, she “makes do,” because it is her job to provide a good service to the children.

“Children, who passed through the Gibson Primary School and migrated, would return and come and look for me, saying ‘Aunty Bootie you still selling here!’ and they would be so glad to see me,” she said.

Aunty Bootie has a wooden stand near the Gibson Primary School at Unity Village, just off the Public Road and it is a good spot for business of that nature and convenient for the children to make purchases.

About three years ago, a member of a religious organisation visited her and volunteered to make her a new stand, since the one she had needed repairs; she however declined and the woman kept insisting, so she later agreed.

Aunty Bootie explained that she used to sell in the school compound, but she was asked to exit some years ago and took her small business outside.

“Even if the children don‘t have enough money or anybody can come here and get something to eat, because that’s how I am, very giving,” she said.

Aunty Bootie believes in principles and she would often entertain passers-by and villagers daily under her stand for a quick chat.
She makes pholurie, cassava balls, potato balls and egg balls and has confectionery and a few toys, as well.

Aunty Bootie related that her day usually starts at 01:00hrs when she would prepare snacks for sale. She would then cook a meal, do chores and then get ready for school and would go home at about 15:30hrs daily.

“It’s been years my husband can’t see too well and cannot work, so I have to support him, but he does assist me in washing the clothes and other things,” she said.

Aunty Bootie told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is comfortable with her life, but the only problem are the pains in both knees. She would even journey to Berbice to visit a doctor for treatment.

“The doctor’s fee ain’t easy so there goes my pension and then I have to pay $3,000 per week for the taxi to and from my house to the school, five days per week,” she said.

Aunty Bootie, however, boasts that she has the shiniest pots and pans in her neighbourhood and takes pride in keeping her environment and house clean.

She is one of the friendliest and nicest persons one can meet and is described as a fixture at the Gibson Primary School in Unity Village.