JOAN Baretto, 39, is a stay-at-home mother of six, who is utilising her talent making indigenous craft; a hobby turned profession that now supports her family. Speaking from her St. Ignatius, Lethem home in an interview, Joan told the Pepperpot Magazine that she makes various craft items and also sells them from her home.
She makes beaded chains, earrings, chains, bags, hammocks, purses and costumes using all local products including cotton. “I make these products all year-round and sell them for my home and whenever, I journey to the city I would bring the products to sell,” she said.

Joan grew up looking and learning from her mother who used to weave and make indigenous craft and she adopted that skill as she got older. She related that making craft isn’t a ‘walk in the park’ but entails long hours of hard work, and over the years, she learned to manage her time between taking care of her children, household chores and making craft in her free time.
“I do enjoy using my hands to make things and it is more of a hobby than an actual job, when you like what you do because the returns are so much more,” she said.

Her children, she said, also assists her in making a few pieces from time to time and it is a good way to spend time together as a family because one day they will take over the business. Joan told the Pepperpot Magazine that she makes nine and 10-foot hammocks from locally acquired cotton which carries different prices. Bags, purses and costumes are also made from cotton while chains and earrings are made from all local products, such as feathers and beads among other things.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Apart from managing her small business, Joan is also active in her community where she hosts a packed educational programme for youths through the Rupununi Rockers Culture Group. The young people in St. Ignatius benefit from skills training as well as reading, writing programmes and other cultural activities to enlighten them about their culture and history. She also teaches indigenous dance and spearheads a singing group within the group.

Joan disclosed that the youths who have completed their formal secondary education hold jobs in shops, supermarkets and restaurants in Lethem, which is a 10-minute drive from St. Ignatius which consists of about 1,500 residents. The village has a nursery, a primary and a secondary school but the health centre is located in Lethem, among other facilities. The community also has a playground for the children.

“Life is comfortable and worth living no matter where you are. Once you have a job and contribute to society you can survive, and enhance your life by engaging in meaningful activities,” she said. On that note, she encourages all, especially youths to become marketable and use their hands to make things to support themselves.