EIGHTY-ONE-YEAR-OLD Sukhia Shioprasad, also known as Aunt Rose, sets a sterling example for parents when it comes to caring for their children and taking decisions that are in their best interests. 

She was just 22 years old when her husband, Mr. Nandlall (only name), died of problems related to his heart. She chose not to remarry for fear of ending up with a drunkard or someone who would make her life and that of her children miserable.

Instead, she opted to work hard and raise her three daughters (Chandrowtie, Lilowtie, and Rajowtie) on her own. “I wuk like a man to look them after”, she told the Chronicle in an interview recently.
Born and raised at Sparendaam, East Coast Demerara, on May 23, 1933, Aunt Rose attended Vryheid’s Lust All Age School and spent a few years there. She fondly recalled how she got away at times and went to work in the backdam. She enjoyed chopping cane, weeding grass, bailing punts, etc.
Aunt Rose worked from 6 am to 6 pm to make ends meet, but the hard work was worth it. “When white man bin ah rule, yo bin ah eat good. You didn’t have to punish for anything,” she expressed.
Her loving husband, whom she only got to spend a few years with, died suddenly one day after work. According to Aunt Rose, he apparently fatigued himself at work, causing the complications.
She married Mr. Nandlall when she was just about 15 years old and still remembers to this day how he supported her when she had to go to work. In addition to doing his own work, he helped her cook for the children, since she had to be at work for 6 am. “We were two good company,” she said.
After his death, Aunt Rose continued to work hard for the sake of the children and she ensured that they all went to school. “I always make sure the pickni them get them food first, even if me na get,” she related. She reasoned that God is the one who gave her three children and so she had to take good care of them.
Aunt Rose worked hard to build her home at Success, on the East Coast Demerara, paying $2 a week for it. Nevertheless, she said she chose to live in Dharm Shala (a home for the elderly and infirm) located in Albouystown. One of her daughters lives in the house and Aunt Rose would visit on the weekends.
She has been living at Dharm Shala for many years, she said, and has been between the branch in New Amsterdam and Georgetown. In the days gone by, she served as cook, at times cooking three gallons of rice per day. Now, though, she said she doesn’t do anything but sit back and relax.
Aunt Rose is still entitled to an ‘estate pension’ which one of her daughters collects..

(By Telesha Ramnarine)