AT 17 years old, Sarah Fredericks has many thoughts, but one thing is for sure, she is pretty focused on getting things done and has her eyes set on becoming a fashion designer.

She is in the process of making, from scratch, Amerindian outfits for herself and her nephew for the impending September 10 National Heritage Village Day.

Fredericks is a resident of Mainstay/Whyaka, and she is very passionate about designing clothes and making outfits from pieces of fabric to create a colour scheme that is pleasing to the eye.

This bubbly young lady is part of the Mainstay/Whyaka Culture Group and she will be featured during the stage show in the village.

Fredericks is making an outfit out of fabric, black beads and buck beads and it is hand-made, a time-consuming process she doesn’t care about because she wants it to be just right.

“I would do it myself, but if I am having some difficulties, I would ask my grandmother to assist and she would give clear directions,” she said.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that it is out of sheer joy she would take the time out to make Indigenous outfits for herself and family members.

Fredericks is making a lap skirt and a top that resemble traditional wear during heritage celebrations.

That outfit will accompany matching foot bands, headbands and armbands in the same colour outfitted with an assortment of beads native to the area.

As a sample of the kind of outfits she would make, Fredericks wore the outfit she wore for 2021 heritage observance in the village. It was a lovely piece which matched perfectly.

“I am really excited to finish and wear my outfit for that day because a lot of people will be here, and I want them to see our talent and also to market myself as an upcoming fashion designer,” she said.

Fredericks pointed out that Mainstay/Whyaka is a quiet place which is picture-perfect, and she doesn’t see herself living anywhere else because she is accustomed to the natural way of life.

Presently she is awaiting Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate(CSEC)Examination results, and her mind is fixed on a career as a Conservationist. She will see how far that takes her and is willing to make the sacrifice to study for such a job.

Fredericks is almost obsessed with the environment, and she wants to preserve it as much as possible and to also educate others of our role in keeping the environment toxic-free.

“My advice to young people is to step outside the box, go beyond the norm to pursue careers and dreams. Although technology makes our lives easier at the same time it is important to put away our smart phones and enjoy what is around us like our surrounding,” she said.

Althea Pearson-Fredericks, the pathway worker at Mainstay/Whyaka Primary School
Pearson-Fredericks started her new job in June this year and she is very pleased about being employed so she can earn and save up her own money to invest in a small business.

The mother of two told the Pepperpot Magazine that her role at the school is to lend support to the teachers and work with slow learners. It is a line of work she is enjoying.

She signed a one-year contract to work as a pathway employee and she is one of five pathway workers at the same school, which pretty much overlooks the lake, a beautiful sight.

Previously, she worked at the Lake Mainstay Resort but quit that job and was unemployed.

“I feel better now that I am earning and I will be able to build my own small business of a photocopy shop with colour prints since there is no such business in the village,” she said.

Pearson-Fredericks explained that the nearest photocopy business is at Anna Regina and it is costly to commute just for photocopying.

She will be participating in the National Heritage Village celebrations by being one of the cooks who will prepare all the Amerindian dishes on the menu for that day.

Pearson-Fredericks related that her husband works in the hinterland and he is often away for some time and she has to manage things during that time.