WITH September being designated Amerindian Heritage Month, the Guyana Chronicle is featuring a special woman in broadcasting, whose voice is well known on the local airwaves.

Michella Abraham Ali, with more than 11 years experience, credits her success to God and the strong support from her family.

The mother of two girls, who has been married to Technical Engineer, Shameer Ali, for the past 14 years, is a staunch Roman Catholic and a very conservative individual.

Ali is a God-fearing woman, who hails from Nappi, Region Nine and is grateful for emerging from a spiritually grounded family, which includes her parents and eight siblings.

While growing up, Ali said she had dreams like every other teenager; she came to the city for school and then went in search of employment, having completed her secondary education at St. Stanislaus College.

She told this publication that she landed her first job at the then Guyana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), after being auditioned with about 300 other applicants,which was whittled down to 20, herself included. She was subsequently shortlisted along with five others for the job.

Ali stated that from then she has been on her way up the broadcasting ladder and presently is the assistant manager production/radio broadcaster.

She hosts a weekly musical/educational radio programme titled: “Banks Sunday Moods” on 98.1FM and describes herself as not a very talkative person around people, but comes alive when she is alone in the radio room.

Ali spends her free time with a good book, worships at the Diamond Roman Catholic Church every Sunday, and enjoys out-of- town trips with her family.

She said that her parents, both retired head teachers, still reside in Nappi Village, Region Nine and is involved in non-governmental adult educational programmes, having spent many years in the education sector.

Ali explained that with the role of motherhood and a full- time job, she’s unable to visit her village often, but does so once a year with her husband and two daughters, ages nine and 11, respectively.

This effervescent young woman told this publication that she first spoke to her husband via telephone, by the way, as she was preparing for a radio programme at GBC 14 years ago as a rookie on the job.

It was after three years of courtship that they got married and together have their own house and live quite comfortably.

She said that they have achieved a lot over the years through hard work and sacrifice and a typical day for her starts at 04:00 hrs every day, as he prepares meals and gets the children ready for school.
Ali said, “I am not a very good cook, but my husband is and he assists me greatly in this endeavour for which I am thankful and we enjoy a family meal most evenings.”

(By Michel Outridge)