AFTER months of planning, the time had finally come, and O’Neil Augustus Fitzgerald LaGoudoue, son of Augustus O’Neil LaGoudoue, his two brothers and a cousin, set sail from French Guiana for British Guiana in search of coffee, cocoa and cotton.

They were optimistic about making such valuable finds, since word was rife that such

plantations in Guyana were abandoned by European planters following Emancipation.
It was in the early 1930s, and faced with the Great Depression, farming communities and rural areas suffered, as crop prices fell significantly and there were few alternative sources of jobs.
And even though gold was discovered in 1855 and there was evidence of petroleum and other mineral deposits, exploitation was hindered by inadequate transportation and a scarcity of labour. Even plans to increase production in agriculture and forestry were rife with challenges.
The crisis affected France a bit later than other countries of the world, hitting hard around 1931. The Depression would have drastic effects on the local French economy, including that of French Guiana.
Arming themselves with supplies of galvanized buckets, cutlasses, shovels and hoes and cash they had accumulated over time, O’Neil and his compadres enthusiastically made their journey, arriving weeks later in British Guiana, which promised to be a land of opportunity in the circumstances.
They moved around, quickly made friends, and enquired about their chances of “making it in Guyana”.

There were challenges along the way, alright, such as the language barrier, but their flexibility and willingness to learn saw them through.

LIVING BY PARABLES

But the overarching solution to winning friends and influencing people, O’Neil’s grandchildren related, were the parables taught them by their grandfather, Augustus O’Neil. And applying those theories, the men managed to overcome even volatile situations.
Some of the parables converted from French Creolese to English were:
“Yuh come hey fuh drink milk, nah fuh count cow; When yuh go to Rome, yuh gat to do as the Romans do; Rome was not built in a day; Better days are coming; Aim high, pursue your dreams; Don’t play tantalize, it could escalate into violence; and Trust in the Lord, for with God all things are possible.” And that was their recipe for success.
Applying the parables wherever needed, the four, in the midst of adversity, remained prayerful whilst working tirelessly to achieve their goal. And in record time, they were able to acquire lands on which coffee was previously grown, and Augustus O’Neil LaGoudoue bought a coffee estate called “Palm Grove”, previously called “Old Good Rat Grove” by the Dutch.
And so they were able to generate assured income and live a fairly good life. Thereafter, Guyana became their home and they raised families, leaving quite a pedigree behind.
Augustus O’Neil LaGoudoue, the team leader whose son was Guyanese-born O’Neil Augustus LaGoudoue, fathered a son, Willett Fitzgerald LaGoudoue. Willett, on growing up, got married to Eunice Alma Jones, a Berbician.

Together, they brought forth ten children: Nine boys and one girl named Melba. The brothers were named Gerald, Hugh, Marcel, Hilary, Haydock, Shawn, Agroy, Willett and Slater.
Both Willett Snr and Eunice are now deceased, but the Guyana Chronicle was able to visit with the family, tour their facility, and have discussions with them. Willett, they said, always instilled good values for life in them. His watch-word was: “Be strong!” And being very industrious, he always advised his children and grandchildren that regardless of what job they have, to seek to set up a business of their own, on which they could fall back in times of adversity.

BERBICE’S FIRST GYM

This was probably what led him to set up a gym in Berbice, which earned the reputation of being the oldest, largest and most equipped gym in Berbice. There are approximately ten gyms in Berbice, according to his granddaughter Melba, who now runs their facility located at Lot 49 Stanleytown.
The facility was refurbished, extended and new equipment brought in. Melba, in consultation with her brothers, was made manager of the gym, which means that she oversees its day-to-day operations. And with the help of Haydock, who now lives in the United States, stocks of new equipment were bought and shipped to Guyana. Between 2004 and 2008, they have hosted a few ‘Mr and Ms’ Competitons, with Mr. Donald Sinclair officiating in 2006. Those were moments of great excitement, with members of the community being ever supportive in diverse ways.
And in keeping with Papa LaGoudoue’s specific advice that they should be multi-talented and aim to acquire multiple assets, his grand-daughter, Melba LaGoudoue, a science teacher at Vrymans Erven Secondary School in Berbice, is a small- scale businesswoman who has repeatedly emerged Award-winning Craft Producer, representing Guyana around the Caribbean and further afield.
Melba is currently in Barbados preparing and getting sorted out to participate in the CARIFESTA XIII to be held in August.
Meanwhile, the family is waging a war on obesity, educating members of the community on proper eating habits and the disadvantages to which you expose yourselves when you do not eat right.
And in light of being a science teacher, with so many people becoming obese, Melba sees the need to take a health-friendly approach to gym activities. She has a health corner in which she has prominently post health and nutrition charts detailing ‘Do’s ‘and ‘Don’ts’, and advising them on proper dietary tips.
And so today, the family can say that their parents and grandparents have left a rich legacy for them to pursue.