Halima Ali better known as “Aunty Halima” in Reliance Settlement, East Canje, Berbice, is a home-maker and a grandmother, who enjoys cooking for the family.

The 69-year-old is originally from Adelphi Village, also East Canje, Berbice but grew up in Canefield Village, also East Canje, Berbice and after marriage, relocated to Reliance Settlement Village.

She related that they bought the current house in which they live and it was not an easy task, saving up, during that time when things were not very good economically

But her husband made sure they had a roof over their heads, since paying rent was not a viable option for them at that time.

Ali began living in the village since 1984 and hasn’t regretted it, because it is a quiet, peaceful community which is breezy and it allows the locals a lot of freedom to do whatever they have to.

That day, when the team visited, it was rather rainy and Ali was about to make some roti and bora for breakfast, but nevertheless took the time out to chat a bit about her life.

“I never worked, but I did the chores and tend to the children and now they are all grown and I get to spoil the grandchildren and to enjoy my old age,” she said.

She is the mother of two, but one passed away and is the grandmother of two active boys.

Ali is a quiet kind of person who goes about her daily routine in a similar manner and makes sure everything in and around the house is in order with everything to its place.

Her husband is Hazrat Ali, 71, he is retired after working for many years as a cane harvester and is at home basking in retirement.

The homemaker
A few houses away is the home of homemaker, Lakerani Mangru, a religious woman whose life is centred on her religion, home, children and grandchildren.

The 54-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she grew up in Canefield Village, also east Canje, Berbice and also resided in Sisters Village, but settled in Reliance Settlement.

She is the mother of two and when she was 16 years old she used to work in the city as a domestic worker, but stopped working after marriage.

“Life here is very simple, I do the chores and pray, chant and take my granddaughter to school and I would go to pick her up and do some more chores,” she said.

Her husband, Ramnarine Basdeo, is a carpenter and they do not go out much, but are involved in the mandir and other religious activities.

Mangru has a prayer room in her yard, and a small mandir and she would spend a lot of time there worshipping.

She would visit the Gay Park Mandir for worship services and would be engaged in their feeding programme.

Mangru is a vegetarian and annually she would cook vegetarian dishes and sweetmeats and share them within the community, on her birth anniversary.

Preparing sweetmeats is also a regular feature in her home. She would share with neighbours and other devotees of the mandir.

She would also assist in cleaning the mandir and participate in the cooking when they have functions or religious activities.

“At first when I moved here, I didn’t like it here, but I am used to this place now and it is quite alright,” she said.

She has been residing in Reliance Settlement Village for the past four years.

Mangru said the people are neighbourly and it is a nice, quiet place to settle.

“I would help with the cooking at the mandir. At times for religious events we would prepare 108 vegetarian dishes to share,” she said.

Mangru admitted that they while they do not go out much or aren’t very social, they spend a lot of time at the mandir, praying, and at home, but get along well with their neighbours and others.