IT started with a vision, an idea to assist youths to be gainfully employed and he started such a business to give back to the community. Today, Clint Anthony Higgins’ dream was realised when he established his own business in his village.

He has a wash bay and barber shop and a boutique in North Timehri, East Bank Demerara, where unemployed youths would be offered a job to earn; instead of being on the streets and being idle, Higgins would take them under his wing and encourage them to work.

Higgins came from humble beginnings and he understands all too well what it is like to have nothing and with that thought in his mind, he wanted to do something to help others, especially the youths.

The father of five told the Pepperpot Magazine that being a soldier, he was familiar with the area and relocated from his hometown of Ann’s Grove, East Coast Demerara, 21 years ago.

The 39-year-old was a bus driver after he exited the army and he felt like bus-driving wasn’t his true calling and opted to establish a wash bay and a barbershop, since there was none in the village.

He worked until he was able to construct a wash bay, a boutique and a barbershop, where his residence is, not far from the entrance to the village, a good spot.

Higgins manages the wash bay mostly where he would often work along with his two employees, young men from the village while, his wife, Linda Higgins would oversee the operations of their boutique and barbershop.

He is a role model in his community and the youths would gravitate towards him because of his positivity and he is also jovial and pleasant to be around.

Higgins made available adequate seating accommodation across from his wash bay, so persons waiting while their vehicles are being washed can be comfortable under the shade and have a place to sit.

He would also participate in any community-related activities, including the village clean-up, and on that same day when it rained heavily and the roads became flooded, he was instrumental in mobilising the people to dig drains to let the water run off the roads and would always be willing to assist in any way.

“I am always here to lend a helping hand to anyone and it give back in whatever possible [way], because I would like the youths and the community to be enhanced and people should have something worthwhile to do with their time, instead of engaging in other things,” he said.

Whenever business is booming, Higgins would employ the young men in the village and pay them for a day’s work and presently he has a barber on staff in his barbershop and two wash bay attendants.

Higgins would put aside everything and get down alongside his employees to wash cars and he would do that almost every day.

He is the kind of person who would spend time to clean up the environment and ensure that his surroundings are spic and span.

Even though the business is small, Higgins would reach out to assist others and find a way to help and provide whatever is needed.

His wife Linda is originally from Soesdyke, a village away and when she married Anthony, she relocated to North Timehri and it is where the heart is, that is home for the Higgins.

The boutique adjoins the wash bay and has two sections, one housing the small but cosy barbershop where there is enough room for visitors to wait their turn for services and there is the air-conditioned boutique area.

On display are footwear, clothing and other brand name items that are reasonably priced; and there is a cooler with cold beverages and of course a small cashier compartment where Linda is most times.

The Higgins are close-knit and both husband and wife would work side by side to keep their businesses open and to provide employment for the young people in the village.

Although Anthony isn’t in the limelight, he does a lot quietly behind the scenes to help others and he is very passionate about giving back to the community, no matter how small and he has a soft spot for all humanitarian efforts.