By Michel Outridge

Fidell Washington is a resident of Sisters Village, West Bank Demerara, who has lived all her life in that community as a vendor at the nearby Good Intent Health Centre.

She used to sell home-made snacks and cold beverages at the Good Intent Health Centre for more than 10 years but had to cease that small business because of ill health after she suffered a fall.

Today, she has intense arthritis pains in both knees and is unable to walk for long distances, even the walk to her home from the health centre was a challenge. Washington also suffers from hypertension.

When the Pepperpot Magazine caught up with the 73-year-old, she was returning home from a medical check-up at the health centre and was making her way home slowly.

She was assisted by her granddaughter, Alexia Hercules. The 10-year-old would go with her wherever she has to go out.

In her younger days, she used to do ‘domestic work’ with some people from Stanleytown Village and after they passed away she had to look for another job.

The mother of 11 reported that she did many jobs to support her family and today, she is unable to work but is being cared for by her many children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“I had 11 children but one passed away so 10 are alive and well and they have many children so the house is always full and I mostly stay at home because of my difficulty in walking,” she said.

The elderly resident resides at Post Office Street which is a narrow concrete strip only accessible by walking.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that life is quiet in Sisters Village and the people get along fairly well.

Pretty’s Beauty Salon

Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine met Pretema Singh, the village hairdresser, nail technician and beautician.

The 29-year-old has a neat and well-equipped beauty salon just in front her house on the Public Road but it is closed for business as a result of childbirth and the pandemic.

Singh recently gave birth to a baby girl and is at home taking care of her newborn.

During her pregnancy, she did not open her business because she was afraid of contracting the virus.

Singh has a wide client base on that corridor and she is being asked to do jobs but she is hesitant presently owing to the rising COVID-19 cases being recorded daily.

“I miss working, no doubt about that but then I have to look at my health and that of my family so it is in my best interest to remain closed until it is safe to re-open,” she said.

Pretty’s Beauty Salon specialises in bleaching, relaxing, colouring, haircutting styles, cold waving, braiding, extensions, facials, manicure, pedicure and nail artistry.

Singh stated that being home is not easy because you are confined and cannot go out because of the Coronavirus but she is trying to occupy her time with chores.

The mother of two reported that she is hoping for the best outcome because there is a need for her to return to work as per normal.