Farming is the best option for the people of Now or Never Village
Patricia Mahaica (Carl Croker photos)
Patricia Mahaica (Carl Croker photos)

AS a woman who came from humble beginnings and became a homeowner, Patricia Mahaica is a resident of Now or Never Village, Mahaicony, and is a lady who is always on the go taking care of the environment and farming.

The 63-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has a farm and would use the fruits and vegetables in the kitchen and would sell off the excess.

Mahaica has a lovely flower garden in front of her home and she is responsible for keeping the place outside her yard ‘spic and span,’ including the area by the bus shed, under the big tree and the parapet.

Patricia Mahaica in her garden (Carl Croker photos)

The mother of five said that the village is a very nice place to live, and the people have a lot of understanding and cooperation and would ensure that everybody is doing well.

Mahaica would buy and plant trees and flowers as her favourite pastime. She is always tending to her crops and ensuring that the place is tidy.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that when she separated from her spouse, she became a single parent to five children and single-handedly tried to put a roof over their heads.

Mahaica added that she had to restart her life and it was a difficult task. However, she mustered the courage to take care of her children and began planting fruit trees.

When the fruits were ripe, she would journey to the city with the fruits to sell to Juice Power and she goes to the foreshore in her spare time to gather courida (mangrove) staves which she used to erect a shelter.

Mahaica had a paling stave house for herself and five children; as they grew, she was able to construct a better house. Today that house is still standing and is a well-kept structure, complemented by a lovely flower garden.

Mahaica is still a farmer and a very hardworking woman who raised her children with good morals to lead simple lives by earning an honest dollar doing many things, including farming.

Mahaica is one of the friendliest people you will meet and there is an aura of exuberance about her which suits her personality and she was the one who took the time out to take the team around the village for the day.

Her house sits just beside the public road, in front of the big tree, and near the bus shed — the perfect spot.

Frederick Mahaica, the driver
Frederick Mahaica is also a resident of Now or Never Village, Mahaicony, and he is the father of three.

The 43-year-old was on that day weeding the parapet surrounding his mother’s house and its surroundings, where he also lives.

Frederick Mahaica doing some free landscaping in the village

He also trimmed the trees and heaped up all the grass in one place, which is a regular occurrence for Frederick.

He used to drive a truck and would still do so when he has the time. He is a full-time driver who transports people from the city to Crabwood Creek, Berbice, working with his cousin, Donald Shepherd, who has a transportation business.

Petrina Chichester, the farmer/stay-at-home mother
Meet Petrina Chichester, a farmer who will soon be re-opening her bar/restaurant, Alicia’s Restaurant and Bar Hideout.

It is indeed a hideout based on its location and it is a very clean place with an airy atmosphere which is good for a cold beverage while overlooking the vast farmlands aback the property.

Petrina Chichester picking peppers from her garden

The 40-year-old who is the mother of five was on that day re-painting the interior of the house and was also in the process of re-arranging the entire house while, cleaning.

Her husband was away at their farm and the pet dog was just sitting out in the front yard just by the wooden swing under the tree, being contented after a meal.

Chichester has a garden of tomatoes, celery and different varieties of peppers, including a rare purple one which turns into three colours before it ripens.

Next door, her brother has a plant nursery and since he is wheelchair-bound, she would keep an eye on him every now and then.

“This place is nice. The quietness, the breeze, the adequate space, the garden is all part of why we like living here, so this is home,” she said.

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