By Michel Outridge

MORE often than not, the role of security guards is not recognised as it should be and they are often overlooked and taken for granted. But they do play a vital role in the companies and businesses they are attached to as they provide a service of safety.

We encounter them every day, be it at work or visiting a place of business. They are there to ensure things are in order and nothing is out of the ordinary and it would take nothing out of us to be kind and courteous to them, as we do to others.

The Pepperpot Magazine spoke to several female security guards, who are attached to a private security firm to find out how they would be spending their Christmas because most of them have to work during the festive season.

“Being a security guard is very new to me but I can’t eat my pride because I have a family to provide for and I have to work to fulfil my obligations,” Dawn Cambridge said.
The 56-year-old woman related that she is from Kaneville, Grove, East Bank Demerara and she would undertake the journey to the city daily for work.

Cambridge added that she has been with the security service for 11 months and would report for the 15:00hrs to 23:00hrs shift.

The mother of seven noted that she will be working on Christmas Day even though she would have preferred to be at home with her family.

“It is my first Christmas working as a security guard so I don’t know how it will be but I will prepare my meals like I do every year and spend some time with the children before I go to work,” she said.

Cambridge stated that whatever she prepares she will bring to work and share with colleagues and before she gets to work and she will also share with family and friends.
She reported that she will bake a cake and prepare the usual ‘fancy’ dishes like she does every Christmas and since it is the time of year where we spread joy and good cheer by sharing she will ensure the people around here are given something.
Cambridge also has another job where she works with the Herstelling Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) clearing drains and gutters.

The woman related that her eldest child is 36 years old while her youngest is 15 years old and she has two minors to take care of.

Far from home
The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to Shenika Bernard, a young woman who left her hometown of Bartica in search of work and a better life, leaving her toddler in the care of her mother.

The 25-year-old said she will also be working on Christmas Day but she will prepare her son’s favourite meal and spend some time with him before she comes to work.
“My three-year-old likes to eat fancy foods so I will make him some to ensure he gets what I used to as a child. I haven’t seen him in three months so I save up some money to buy him a tablet so I can talk to him via the internet and we can see each other as well,” she said.

Bernard disclosed that she started to work as a security guard in September this year and the adjustment was good because things are cheaper than in Bartica and the only thing that absorbs her money is travelling expense.

No fuss
Muriel McKay also spoke to the Pepperpot Magazine telling us her plans for Christmas Day since she will be on duty.

She explained that she was with the security service for five years straight then she broke her service when she left but returned to the same job in September this year.
The Cove and John, East Coast Demerara resident stated that since her children are all grown-up she doesn’t make a fuss over Christmas like she used to years ago but ensures the house has all the goodies.

“On Christmas Day I don’t do any cooking because my husband does that and he would prepare all the meals such as fried rice with fried chicken, salad, fruit juice and of course the traditional black cake and Pepperpot with home-made bread,” she said.
The mother of six added that years ago when her children were younger she used to ‘go all out’ to ensure they get the best in terms of foods and toys and fix up the house nice,” McKay said.

To date, her household consists of three occupants, herself, husband and a child and on Christmas Day she is not sure which location she will be placed but she is required to work.
McKay disclosed that the only day she will be at home is on Boxing Day and she will be attending a wedding, in the company of her son.
This security guard added that on Christmas Day she will pass the day eating whatever her husband makes and she will also play the word games from the newspapers like she usually does.

“On Christmas Day I will be assigned to the 15:00hrs to 23:00hrs shift and I will try not to think of being at home too much,” she said.