Long life and love
The elderly couple
The elderly couple

Elderly couple from Reliance Abandon Village credits mutual respect for their 67 years of marriage

Rajmattie Haimchandriji is 84 years old and when asked what the secret to her 67-year marriage to her husband, Vishnudat Haimchandriji, 87 is, the couple credits mutual respect. Together, they brought up nine children and still exchange happy relations with their extended family at Reliance Abandon, East Canje Berbice.

The Haimchandrijis are probably one of the oldest couples in their home village, and they are fun-loving people who have no serious ailments and do almost everything for themselves.

Vishnudat today would prepare himself for leisure of awaiting the newspaper vendor, who would bring his daily newspaper to his home after breakfast.

Then he would spend some time in his favourite spot, on the chair, in the bottom house reading the newspaper daily while his wife Rajmattie would relax in the hammock to wait her turn.

Rajmattie told the Pepperpot Magazine that one of her daughters, who resides in the United States of America (USA), visited Guyana. She had a grand time via a religious function for her 80th birth anniversary celebrations a few years ago and she appreciated that a lot.

This year, she has no special plans or requests, but whatever her family has in store for her she is thankful because she is surrounded by family members and is never alone nor in want for company.

Rajmattie revealed that one of her nine children passed away, a few years ago, he was ill and was in his 40s, but she has seven remaining.

She resides in her large house with some of her grown children and grandchildren, numbering eight in total, and they keep a tidy home and surroundings.

The elder has 27 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. She explained that half of her family members reside abroad while the other half lives in Guyana.

Rajmattie stated that she was a full-time housewife and never worked outside of the home but tending to nine children and taking care of general household duties was a tall task.

In her younger days, before marriage, she did sewing and was a seamstress for a little while and is originally from Albion and moved to Reliance Abandon when she tied the knot.

Rajmattie recalled that back in the ‘black and white days’, things were hard but there was enough and life was much easier then than now since there wasn’t so much now like before.

She had a small cottage in another part of the village and later, she bought a plot of land in the same community and constructed a bigger house, the same one she resides in to date.

The senior citizen reported that she enjoyed cooking and mastered the art of local cuisine and their Sunday lunch was a big thing back in the days when her children were younger.

Rajmattie added that in those days, they enjoyed the simpler things in life and the Sunday meal consisted of dhal, rice, bunjal shrimp, coconut chutney, mango achar, cholonjie, calaloo and fried fish.

Vishnudat and Rajmattie Haimchandriji at their home (Delano Williams photos)

Today, she would condemn the cooking done by her children because she is very good in the kitchen and all her meals were a hit including shine rice and chicken curry.

There isn’t much to do these days except enjoy her old age since all the household duties are done by her children and grandchildren.

Still at her age, Rajmattie is the boss of the home and she takes control as she did when she was younger of the finances and she ensures there is no excess spending.

The elder would read the newspapers and watch television without wearing any spectacles since she is blessed with good eye sight and is very fussy about her husband whom she adores.

“Respect is what made my marriage lasts so long, I took charge of the money and my husband worked hard to provide for us, and no matter what, we have respect for each other and today it is no different,” she said.

Vishnudat Haimchandraiji
Meanwhile, Vishnudat, a well-dressed person told the Pepperpot Magazine that he takes pride in his appearance and to date, he would ensure his clothes are ironed and clean.

The 87-year-old worked at the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate for 47 years before he retired and was the contractor who built bridges and sluices for the estate.

Some of the bridges he constructed are still operating in the canfields and at the estate.

He reminisced that in his younger days, he was an excellent builder and worked hard for many years, often barefooted and walking for miles in bad weather conditions.

These days, Vishnudat is basking in his golden years as a pensioner and has the time to enjoy life and do simple things like going for his pension and going to the shop to buy things.

He said he has a lot of time now to eat on repeat a few times per day and would watch movies after reading the daily newspaper.

Vishnudat added that life is much more rewarding when you have the support of family and people that supports you in every way and today he is very happy how things turned out for himself and family.

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