Hopetown Village, West Coast Berbice is a place that is littered with shops at almost every street corner which provides a service to the community and also serves as encouragement for young people to become entrepreneurs.

Dason Langevine is one of the young men who always wanted to become self-employed and after leaving school, he was determined to open his own business.

Today, as a result of hard work and dedication, he is the proud owner of a small a business, a corner shop that is located at Cemetery Road, Hopetown, Public Road, making it an ideal spot for business.

Langevine told the Pepperpot Magazine that since he finished high school he started his own business called ‘Red Shop Square’.

He has in stock a wide range of both local and imported beverages, packaged snacks and confectioneries.

“I always knew I would work with myself because I don’t want no boss yelling at me and I do this business on my own time and it has been fruitful so far,” he said. “At 30 years old is the same time I started out as a small business owner and I am satisfied because with the right mindset and will power you can achieve your goals.”

Langevine’ shop is opened from 08:00hrs up until the wee hours of the morning, depending on customers flow.

“My business is a success because the people in this village 0has supported me and they continue to daily and fir that I am grateful,” he said.

This businessman added that the people of Hopetown co-exist in unity and they support each other as such, small businesses are able to flourish because they make purchases within the community rather than going outside the village to do so.

“For me this is a dream come through because I have my own small business right in my village and being able to work right where you live is an accomplishment for me,” he explained.

Soiree event
Coincidentally, Langevine is one of the promoters, who would lend his services to the village annually around July 31 where the village would be transformed into a hype of activities for Emancipation celebrations.

Langevine disclosed that he would normally organise a cultural programme showcasing ‘All Things African’ which features clothing, craft, drumming/dance, food and beverages.

This resident of Hopetown related that soiree in that village is only a one-day event but he is of the opinion that it should be held for one week.

“The one-day event is not enough to do everything as such, more time is needed for us to really promote soiree and Emancipation as part of our culture and history,” he said.

Langevine said soiree in Hopetown is traditional where villagers would beat the African drums and dance to the tempos through the village via the Public Road and when this happens everything would cease and that is the only thing that is featured.

He added that soiree in Hopetown is an activity they look forward to and it is always nice to welcome visitors and show them how soiree is supposed to be; the traditional way.

Annually, on July 31 people from across Guyana would journey to Hopetown Village to attend the soiree activity that is hosted by the community.

It is usually an all-night, all-day lime featuring the African drumming, dance and related-activities.