Going along the main access road in Whim Village (East Berbice-Corentyne) reveals quite a breathtaking sight early in the morning of residents peacefully going about their day.
During a recent visit to the village, 72-year-old Rewatee Takoordeen, also called ‘Babsie’ told the Pepperpot Magazine that she cannot envision herself living in another place simply because she is a native of the village. Takoordeen recalled that she had a difficult childhood during the 1950s because her ten siblings and she had to support their family after encountering many challenges that she attributed to her father’s ‘steady drinking.’

“I cut and plant rice, I fetch wood, and I catch fish. I do all those things just to help my mother. We would fish and my mother would go to the market to sell the fish,” said Takoordeen, before adding: “We reach a very very tough time. I do not like to remember some of those times.” Eventually, she had to leave school.
For this reason, she was firm and insisted that her children go to school to gain an education. One of the ways she supported her family after her husband was injured in an accident was by becoming a seamstress.

“I sewed for 32 years and I helped to bring my children up while my husband cared for the children. He took them to school and so on,” she said. She shared that she often sewed a variety of clothes such as school and work uniforms, dresses and religious attire.
Today, Takoordeen beams with pride at raising her five children who are well-versed in academic and non-academic activities. It makes her happy to see the successes they have achieved in life despite the obstacles.

“Sewing is really what bring me up and I have my husband and family,” she stated, before expressing: “We are still making life here in Whim as a family.”
Meanwhile, Takoordeen’s 41-year-old son, Deodat, revealed that his love for Whim Village stems from its quietness and the caring and supportive residents. “Life here in Whim is countryside living. It’s quiet, everyone is nice and we have each other to depend on,” he expressed.

Deodat remarked that as a young boy attending the Auchlyne Nursery and Primary Schools, respectively and then the Winifred Gaskin Secondary School, his school days were fun because he got the opportunity to meet different people and in essence, build the foundation for his educational pathway.
“I grew up here from small days. I feel at home here,” he said.

A short distance away from the Takoordeen’s residence, the publication caught up with 58-year-old Kamalawattie Venkiah at the Whim Nursery School. Born and raised in the village, Venkiah stated that she has seen major transformations occur throughout the community and she is happy to still be residing there.

As a young girl, she often helped her mother to sell homemade snacks such as barra, channa, sugar-cake and other delicious goodies at a school nearby to provide financial support for their family. On the other hand, while she did eventually follow in her mother’s footsteps as an adult, due to unforeseen challenges, she had to quit.

Currently, Venkiah is one of the part-time workers attached to the nursery school under the part-time jobs initiative implemented by the Government of Guyana.
She began working in August 2022 and assists the teachers daily in organising learning and teaching resources at the school. Furthermore, Venkiah also acknowledged that she is grateful to get an opportunity to earn an income in her home community.

“I like Whim because it has everything I need,” she said.
Before bringing an end to a wonderful countryside visit to Whim Village, the publication spoke with 67-year-old Leila Jagmohan, who spends most of her days relaxing in her hammock while enjoying the cool river freeze. Jagmohan shared that she originally grew up in Lancaster Village (East Berbice-Corentyne) but relocated to Whim after she got married.

“Whim is a beautiful place and the people are nice. I’m living here now for over 30 years,” she noted.
In addition to this, she related that a part of building a life of her own in Whim involved setting up a stall in front of her home. This allowed her to sell different foods, fruits and other items and financially provide for her daughter.

Unfortunately, she had to stop selling. Jagmohan disclosed that she is assisted by family and close neighbours due to her ailments in recent times. As such, she gets to immerse herself in the beauty of country life in the village.
“Whim is my home,” she said.