‘Market mothers’ making ends meet
Princess Andrews
Princess Andrews

IN many of the markets all across Guyana, the vendors are predominantly women. They are assertive women eager to ‘brackle’ you for a sale, or, at the very least, get you to consider patronising them. While they are ‘hustling’, however, many of them are cognisant of the need to provide for their children.
Princess Andrews and Chitra Latchman are two such women who have been plying their trade for decades. Currently, they are both ‘hustling’ at Bourda Market, on North Road, Georgetown. “I’m a single-parent, and I wukking for over 20 years by myself to maintain my children,” Andrews said when interviewed by the Guyana Chronicle. She had five children, but unfortunately, she lost two of them. She also has nine grandchildren and two great-grands.
She recounted that it felt as though she “used to sleep and wake up back” in the market, because of the long hours she worked. And, while she toiled, her children dutifully went to school, as she wanted them to. But ever so often, however, they would help her sell some of her produce after school.

Chitra Latchman

“Right here, I do everything fuh maintain them. And I like the selling,” Andrews said, pointing to the colourful vegetables spread across her stall.
Proudly, she stated that her children “come out good,” highlighting that they have always been responsible and well-mannered children.
As such, she posited, “I don’t regret it (working in the market) though, because now my children does look after me… After working so long, the children get big, and me ain’t fighting up.” But, she is adamant about selling fresh vegetables instead of retiring. Even though her children take care of her, Andrews said that vending is her profession, and she loves it. She also said, quite matter-of-factly, “I don’t want to stay home, watch TV whole day and get sick.”
This Sunday, however, she may happily stay at home and let her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren treat her for Mother’s Day.

Just across from Andrews is her colleague, Chitra Latchman, who shares a similar story.
“I does come out early in the morning and leave late in the night, and some family members, like my niece and so, help to take care of my son,” Latchman said.
This was the routine she adopted after her son’s father left after he was born, and she assumed the roles of caregiver and provider. It has been 38 years since she began selling at the market. Latchman also recounted that she and her son have always been close, and their bond grew deeper when she was able to build her own house. The two of them lived there, and now, her son also lives there with his wife and children.
And, the aged woman, who beams at any mention of her son, proudly stated that he is a police officer.
On Mother’s Day, she said that she is usually pampered; her son prepares all of her meals, and spends time with her.
“Me nah a fancy woman; I don’t want to go out or anything, so that does make me happy,” Latchman said.

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