RICKFORD Allicock is an elder of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara and these days, he is enjoying his golden years at home, having spent most of his adult life as a seaman.

The 66-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he has been living in the village for the past 42 years, and he is originally from Saxacalli, Essequibo River.

He got married and relocated to Samaroo Dam Village and has been there ever since.

Allicock stated that life is how you make it, and in that village things are good, except for the constant blackouts and flooding due to the excessive rainfall.

The retiree disclosed that he is the father of five, and he really likes the village because it is quiet and breezy, and the people are friendly and cooperative.

Allicock noted that with all his children grown, he is in the company of two grandsons and a son, who plies his trade as a meat seller in the interior.

Last week he took a trip with his son and while they were descending a steep hill in Itaballi their, vehicle had an accident but luckily no one was injured, but the vehicle is badly damaged.

Allicock reported that his wife is overseas like most of his children, but he likes Guyana and here is where he will stay.

The village elder pointed out that from time to time, he goes to his home village to visit his relatives, his siblings.

His parents passed away in the 1980s, and of six siblings, four have since passed on.

Allicock has two dogs as pets; one is Stoby, a playful but alert watchdog, and he also has a macaw.

The Liming Spot
Nicola Ross is a resident of Samaroo Dam, Pouderoyen, West Bank Demerara. She would assist her sister in their small business, cooking and selling fish/chips, fried chicken and chips.

They also have a small shop, and they sell cold beverages too.

The 33-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been residing in the village for the past 10 years and she likes it there, so far.

Ross added that she used to live at D’Aguiar’s Park, Houston, but is originally from the Essequibo Coast.

“In this village, life is good because I am working in this small family business and working from home is nice, helping my sister is good and the people are neighbourly,’ she said.

The mother of three stated that they don’t sell food every day because things get busy on weekends, so they would start selling fish and chips from Wednesdays.

“We don’t have neighbours on one side, so that’s good. We like it that way and this place lights up at nights with people and activities,” she said.

The construction worker
Sultan Rasool is a resident of Samaroo Dam and moved to that village about three months ago.

He used to live at La Parfaite Harmonie, also on the West Bank of Demerara, but relocated because of the distance and his children’s school is closed.

Rasool is a construction worker and when it rains, he cannot do jobs, so he has to do other things to bring in an income to the home, since he is renting.

The father of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that his rent alone is $20,000 per month, plus living expenses.

When the team caught up with him he was returning home from buying kerosene, milk and sugar.

His children are aged five years old, twin girls and he has a three-year-old son.

Rasool disclosed that the village is nice so far. They have had no issues and living there might be good for them in terms of the people and location.

“Moving wasn’t easy like renting, but living here for these few months have been okay and we are trying to lead a good but simple life,” he said.

Rasool added that Samaroo Dam is a lovely place of all kinds of people who co-exist in one village.

He would get around by riding his bicycle to do errands and make necessary purchases for his home, since it is mostly close by, he has to go.