SHALLUM Spencer is doing whatever she can to earn honestly by cooking wholesome foods to vend daily via her small snackette on the roadside by her home.

The 25-year-old had prepared some piping hot vegetable chowmein with pork and it was selling for $600 per box, which is reasonable considering the sharp increase in food prices in recent times.

Spencer told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is hardly ever idle because she would single-handedly tend to a shop owned by her in-laws, sell food and do other household duties.

The small outdoor shop is equipped with groceries to hardware items, and even clothing, so it is a busy place since it is located at the edge of the village.

The location is spot-on, and the locals support the business fully.

The mother of two stated that she is originally from Kuru Kuru, Soesdyke-Linden Highway, but relocated to Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara, after she got married and is now living next door to her in-laws.

They also have a canter truck and cement block-making small businesses, and they employ three young men from the community.

With her husband, Ryan Singh, a truck driver, he is often away from home during the day and operating the small businesses is the task of Spencer, who is more than capable of taking care of things.

The shop is very spacious and it has swingers to sit and wooden chairs and tables to accommodate people, who may want to engage in a friendly game of dominoes as a form of relaxation.

With Samaroo Dam, West Bank Demerara being described as ‘night village,’ the location is just right for customers to sit and enjoy cold beverages and a quick snack.

Spencer told the Pepperpot Magazine that the community is a very lively place and things are always ‘on the go,’ so to speak.

There is always some activity, and at nights, the locals would venture out of their homes to have a lime.

“This village is a nice place to live and work via a small business, because the people support you in every way. The people are neighbourly, and it is a mixture of ethnicities, and they co-exist together without any burning issues,” she said.

Spencer reported that they rear their own livestock, and it was on Sunday they will use one of their pigs for the holidays to make curry, pepperpot, barbeque and roast.

She has been in the village for the past six years and likes it a lot, even more than when she was living on the highway.

“I don’t really mix up too much with people, but so far things have been productive for me and my family, because we don’t sit and wait for things to happen. We get up and do things to earn,” she said.

Kishond Ferguson
Kishond Ferguson is a resident of Samaroo Dam, West Bnak Demerara and he is a construction worker who often finds it hard to get work when it is raining.

The father of five reported that life in the village is fair, but he has some domestic problems he is trying to resolve at the earliest. He intends to do it because he needs peace of mind and to be happy.

Ferguson disclosed that despite the little issue in his life,he is willing to make amends and start afresh to enhance his life and that of his children.

The 37-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that Samaroo Dam is a good place to reside, because they are close-knit and look out for each other.