By Michel Outridge

HOPE New Housing Scheme, East Coast Demerara, is fairly a developing community with about 13 streets and a mixture of Guyanese of all ethnicities.

It was established about 11 years ago and it has the basic infrastructure with electricity, potable water and cellphone services.

The Pepperpot Magazine met Carl De Roache, the village cobbler, who plies his trade at the Hope Main Access Road, where he has a small roadside stand, selling some cold beverages, sweets and biscuits.

He has been residing in Hope New Housing Scheme for the past three years with his wife, but is originally from Stevedore Housing Scheme, in the city.

“The price is reasonable and pocket-friendly, because it’s in the countryside and you try to meet the pockets of regular people because it’s a farming community and people are hustling for a daily bread, so I am fair,” he explained.

The 46-year-old stated that he is managing to fit in and he is open for business from 08:30hrs to up until 16:00hrs, after which he gets on his bicycle and makes the journey home.

“I am a mason by profession but work is out right now, so I have to do something else to bring in an income in the home,” he said.

Sewing by hand

The team also talked to Sunita Premdass, who was on her verandah sewing by hand a pillowcase cover, after finishing some chores.

The 48-year-old reported that following the death of her husband, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law and does domestic work within the village, a few days per week for her general upkeep.

Premdass added that earning an income has been difficult for her since she depended on her husband to provide for her when he was alive.

“If I get any work cleaning houses I does take it even if it’s half-day because I need the money to look after myself,” she said.

Grazing cows
The Pepperpot Magazine also spoke to George McDonald, at the time he was home for a cold beverage after which he was off to graze his cows.

With the use of his motorcycle, it was easy for Mc Donald to move his cows from their pens in the backlands area to another location to graze.

He looks after his cows during the week and on weekends he has a small business of fish and chips and chicken and chips with some beverages, all in a small roadside shop he erected.

He is originally from Ann’s Grove, also on the East Coast Demerara, but relocated at Hope New Housing Scheme to assist his sister.

McDonald reported that so far, things are going good for the past six months he moved there and doesn’t have time to complain but work.

The young man added that the place is nice, because people mind their own business and things are quite normal as is.

McDonald told the Pepperpot Magazine that the place is quiet and peaceful, an ideal location for a good, simple life.