Fish-vending: A necessary job for Neil Chatawoo
The fish vendor Neil Chatawoo as he interacts with a resident, who was making a purchase of fish in Stewartville Village. (Carl Croker photo)
The fish vendor Neil Chatawoo as he interacts with a resident, who was making a purchase of fish in Stewartville Village. (Carl Croker photo)

 By Michel Outridge

Neil Chatawoo — the fish vendor.

IT is with a sense of responsibility that Neil Chatawoo would take his bicycle, to which a carrier is attached, and make his journey daily to several villages on the West Coast of Demerara, plying his trade as a fish vendor.

The father of three decided to do the business after he quit his job at the Uitvlugt Sugar Estate some years ago because of ill health.

Chatawoo is responsible for providing for a physically challenged child, who is totally dependent on him and his wife.

The resident of Uitvlugt, Sideline Dam, would leave his home at 02:00hrs to venture to the Meadowbank Wharf to purchase the fish, he would return home to store them in a freezer before riding from village to village to sell his stock.

“As a result of the Navatri season (which is nine days of fasting for Hindus in which no fish or meat is consumed), the business has slowed a bit, but I have to still sell to earn,” he said.

Chatawoo would purchase banga, trout and catfish among others, but the business is no easy task.

“This job has its challenges, so I still make do even though I was robbed at gunpoint on three different occasions when going to buy fish to re-sell, but I still press on because I have to work to earn.”

Chatawoo told the Pepperpot Magazine that he doesn’t drink alcohol nor smoke cigarettes because of his health condition.

He has lived in Uitvlugt for 28 years. He noted that the conditions are deplorable when it rains, since the dam is very muddy, which makes it inaccessible to traverse.

Village elder Beryl Mortley.

THE VILLAGE ELDER

Meanwhile, the Pepperpot Magazine also met Stewartville’s elder, Beryl Mortley, who has been bedridden after she fell four years ago.

The 92-year-old has a caregiver during the day, while at nights, a male relative would stay with her.

She lived all her life in that community and in her younger days, as a single parent of two, she used to work at the old match factory at Vreed-en-Hoop, West Coast Demerara.

Along with her hip injury, Mortley is also suffering from hypertension and diabetes. A doctor would visit her for a medical check-up every other week.

The home of Beryl Mortley.

In January 2021, Mortley will celebrate her 93rd birth anniversary.
Both of her children are living overseas.

During the day, the elder would watch television or have a chat with her caregiver Yvonne Livan.

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