SANTA ROSA, one of the largest and more populated communities in Region One (Barima-Waini), is where this year’s reigning (regional) Calypso Monarch came from and has been living most of her life.

Full of verve, it is said that this young woman is always ready to take up any challenge; at the same time, she is also ready to inspire and to teach. Those who know her well have spoken of a lady who is a genius in many ways, has been self-taught in many of her endeavours and is every willing to teach both children and adults alike.

Lady Devotee, whose real name is Ingrid Harris, is the reigning (regional) Calypso Monarch (2018). She is also a music teacher for the past 17 years, teaching from Grades One to Six at the Santa Rosa Primary School.

“I started teaching in 2000 and from 2003 I started training children for calypso and up to this time I continue to see success with the children – gaining from 1st to 3rd places all the time,” she said.

The 37-year old says that she is also married to a man she describes as being very loving and supportive of her in all that she sets her hands to do. They are the parents of four children between the ages of 19 and 13. “My eldest daughter is currently at the University of Guyana pursuing a pre-medical programme in Biology; while my second daughter is at the Carnegie School of Home Economics pursuing a Home Economics Management programme, while the other two are still in school.

NATIONAL AND OTHER EVENTS
As the Education Chairperson of the Moruca Sub-Region, Harris has responsibility for all the national and other events within the communities. These include all the education activities such as science, debating competition, Spelling Bee competition, and any other education event at a national level. She informed the Pepperpot Magazine that she is also busy with sports within the Moruca Sub-Region, where she does voluntary work and hold the position as Chairperson of this sporting body as well.

In addition, Harris also occupies the position of the President of the Atkinson Brothers Football Club in Moruca, North West District, Region One. She was proud to tell the Pepperpot Magazine that football has become one of the biggest sporting events in the community and, “This team of footballers were the first to have the five-a-side and under floodlights too.” She continued by reiterating that while this is the most popular game within the community, as president she is always willing to have both the young and old categories active in the game.

ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
“I am proud to say that there is a lot of development in the Moruca area at this time. In fact, there is growth everywhere. There is much advancement from Mabaruma and many other places within Region One and many people are involved,” she said.

She added that as a woman, a school teacher of music, as someone who is involved in different levels of education projects too, such as science and spelling, she is still finding time to be a good wife and also a good mother to her children and many other children who may need me within the community from time to time.

Harris said that she has been engaged at different levels in all, if not most aspects of life in her community – from farming, small business, mash competitions, and others. She said that she is happy as an Amerindian woman to be making a difference in the lives of others, and not only that of her immediate family.

She said that women can do many good things to make each other feel proud; make their families be proud of them, and even make themselves feel that sense of pride. (mercilinburke2017@gmail.com)