By Michel Outridge

THIS week the Pepperpot Magazine visited the area known popularly as ‘Parika Back’, East Bank Essequibo, to highlight the people, their way of life and development.

The community is divided into three parts, namely: Kent Dam, Naamryck and the Savannah Backlands. The main source of income is large-scale farming and poultry- rearing.

The community consists of a handful of Afro-Guyanese, predominantly Indo-Guyanese and a few dozen of Indigenous people, who came to work and have since settled.

‘Parika Back’ is bordered by the Essequibo River and Hydronie and is home to the biggest large-scale farmers.

From the Public Road to the end of the village is about three miles.

‘Parika Back’ has a nursery School, a primary school, a small Health Outpost and many shops and bars.

The people are welcoming and friendly and the team was out and about, chatting with people.

The Pepperpot Magazine met a mother and son, who manages a shop just in front of the Parika Back Primary School.

Hanswattie Tulsi Ram said they have been vending at the location for 21 years and they continue doing business just to provide a service to the schoolchildren.

Mrs. Tulsi Ram explained that they are farmers by trade but over the years they decided to open a small shop, selling snacks to schoolchildren, at a price to meet their pockets too.

They have a farm of ground provisions for which they have wholesale buyers, so they don’t have to commute to Parika market to sell their produce.

She added that they make much because her husband works in the hinterland, but he is around presently because he is of ill health.

“I don’t do this here at the school to make a profit, because we don’t and we have things selling for under a $100 which is very pocket-friendly for the children in this community,” she said.

Mrs Tulsi Ram explained that they have good relations with the children and teachers alike and they contribute monthly with a monetary donation for the general upkeep of the school.

“We got used to living here because we are accustomed to the hard work and simple farming life; and we don’t want to leave this village,” she said.

Collectively, Mrs. Tulsi Ram and her son would wake up early to prepare some snacks in the form of cassava balls, pholurie, egg balls, chicken balls and channa.

The 57-year-old told the team that 40 years ago she got married and came to Parika Back from her hometown of the Essequibo Coast, a place she doesn’t miss at all.

“When I first came here, this entire place was sheer bush and over the years it was developed to this state and became populated as well,” she said.

She added that even with elections things are still normal there, because all ethnicities live in harmony and in peace.

The mother and son operate the ‘Sumintra Snackette’ at Parika Back, just in front the school where they have a wide variety of both local and imported packaged snacks and beverages to go with it.

“Things so nice here when there is a wake or any event, we does come together and contribute whatever we have including money and assist with labour and whatever else is needed to make the occasion possible, regardless of ethnicity,” she said.

Mrs. Tulsi Ram’s son, Netram Tulsi Ram, 35, told the Pepperpot Magazine that on weekends they would pay attention to their farm and do household chores.

“We probably make a profit of $20 because our prices are ‘rock bottom’ and suitable for children in this community; we see it as providing a service to the people,” he said.