–says resourceful single parent and farmer

GLENORVIA Alexandria Sulker believes in saving her money. She would not be the person to indulge in the latest fashion or anything for that matter, which she deems unnecessary. She’s always kept at the back of her mind that once saved, that money can do something to improve her house or buy a necessary tool for farming.

Pointing to a section of her house that she’s no doubt proud of, the 77-year-old farmer said: “Pear money alone built that.”

Coming from Jacklow in the Pomeroon River, Sulker started living in David James Scheme more than 30 years ago. “Life was wonderful when I first came here,” she reflected, adding, “The produce that used to come out of David James could’ve fed the whole of Guyana.”

Now, though, “water mash we up,” Sulker, who has been a single parent for most of her life, told Pepperpot Magazine. “Uncle Ramo used to come and buy my pears; thousands of pears when the weekend come.”

Having spent just nine years in marriage, Sulker decided that she might as well try to make life on her own. She adopted the approach that she didn’t need a man in her life, owing to some negative experiences.

“I am happy because nobody don’t have to holler on me, hit me- you see all this? (Pointing to scars on her face); damage my kidneys; falling down. Men broke me up, but I was mighty strong. All I wanted to do was look after my children and grandchildren,” the mother of four expressed.

So Sulker did all of the hard work on her farm with the help of her grandsons. “I dig up all these drains. I arranged myself, wake up early and prepare something before heading off to work.

Every morning before my grandsons went to school, I worked with them. I would dig the mud and they would go inside and bail it out until we surround this whole place.”

Having successfully raised her children and 10 of her grandchildren, Sulker said she hardly has any regrets.

“I enjoyed all the hard work I have done. I only regret that I can’t do the things I used to do but I still have the mind. I still work in the yard. If I don’t continue to work, I will die. So if it’s one hour a day I can go and knock-knock something or plant something, I would.”

Furthermore, she is proud of how things have turned out with her family. “I raised 10 grandchildren on my own. They all turned out good for now. I ain’t raise no thief. I didn’t raise them to beg for anything or to borrow, not even a little sugar. I always tell them to work towards what they want. I mean, we aren’t rich, but we are independent.”

Sulker believes that praying helped her get through. “Anything you ask God for, pray sincerely and be honest, and you will get it. God gave me the strength. I did not mind those children, God did.”

She also did practical things to help her get through. For instance, she said she did not waste whatever money she received, either from the farm or from caring friends. “I don’t spend money wildly. I save so that I can buy something to better this grant. You have to live to your means.”

She stuck with farming because of the benefits that it brought it her. “I love farming. If I don’t want to work a whole month or year, I don’t have to. Things at the back here are quiet. We all neighbours live good; anything happens you can be able to go to your neighbour.”

Sulker has had her share of dealing with snakes on the farm and around her home. She has lost count of how many she’s killed over the years, especially when she reared her pigs. Whenever the water comes up, she’d almost always find one in her fowl pen.

But she has never been afraid. “I would just know when a snake is around. I would get like a signal and know when one is here.”