WHEN it all seemed as if there was no hope for Violet Cadogan, who always dreamed of becoming a homeowner, she saw the light at the end of the tunnel five years ago and was elated.
She grew up in a large family of 13 siblings living in one house which was inadequate at Number 22 Village/Bel Air Village, also on the West Coast Berbice, and she was struggling.
The 43-year-old never thought that her dream would come through but it did when she received a phone call saying she was selected and was going to have her own house.
“I was moved to tears because I could not believe it and I am very grateful for the opportunity, because I am happy and I have had a hard life and today I have my own house and I live in peace and quiet,” she said. Cadogan is a sweeper/cleaner attached to the Bushlot Nursery School and she would go there daily via her motorcycle. The mother of two told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been a resident of New Hope Housing Scheme for the past five years and it feels good because she is comfortable and she is doing things at home to earn.
“I only paid $100,000 for the land and the rest was taken care of by FFP through the donors, Lil’ Red Foundation and Uncle Joe, so I only have to upkeep the place and ensure it doesn’t fall apart,” she said. Cadogan has since extended her house to accommodate a lower flat and more rooms to her house. In her yard space, she has a kitchen garden which she uses in the kitchen and some flower plants to beautify the place is the perfect addition. She is making chairbacks from crochet thread in her spare time to sell, but due to the pandemic is not selling them but making it for herself. Cadogan reported that it would normally cost $20,000 for a set of six chair backs. “I don’t sit idly, I am always doing some to bring in money in the house, as a single parent, I am exploring the possibilities and I am not limiting myself,” she said. She would make ice and icicles to sell from her home, she is a certified cosmetologist and is also trained and qualified in caring for the elderly. In addition, she would do some sewing and can cater for functions and social events and is said to be well versed in the kitchen.
The Special Constable
Another resident of New Hope Housing Scheme, Corlis McPherson, is a Special Constable attached to Onverwagt Guyana Power and Light Inc. and she is on the 15:00hrs to 11:00hrs shift. The mother of one makes ice, custard and icicles to sell at her home. “This place has a lot of children so they does come and support my small business and it is something to supplement my income,” she said. She moved into her own house four years ago and has since done some modifications to her house, including a verandah was constructed and plants in her yard. McPherson was living in her home village of nearby, Hopetown and was caring for sick and elderly uncle. She reported that when the village got electricity a few months ago she began making custard, icicle and ice to sell. “Well I grow up with my grandmother and I come from ‘old school’ upbringing, so I can take care of my son and keep the place clean and tidy because at granny’s you had to know to do these things and cooking was a must too,” she said. She has been a special constable for the past six years and likes her job because she is earning and can do things at home in her free time. McPherson’s yard is very tidy and has lots of plants, flowers and vegetables and fruit trees. She describes life in her own home as ‘lovely’ and she is trying to make life good for herself and son.
