IN the small farming village of Big Biaboo, De Hoop Branch Road, Mahaica, the locals have shown their resilience to overcome challenges, such as the floods, and they have developed ingenuine methods to earn from their homes.

The members of the Ramdatt family are farmers; they have a sugarcane farm in the community and they would harvest the sugar cane and process it from scratch to make pure cane juice.

They have their own mill and after picking and washing the sugarcane, they would pass it through the mill to extract the juice, which is strained and bottled with no additives.

It is a small business venture by Nandranie Ramdatt, a stay-at-home mother who takes care of the chores and cooking and even goes to the farm when it is time to reap.

The Ramdatts would drive and sell their homemade sugarcane juice and people would call to make orders for events.

Whenever they process sugarcane, they would do a few gallons at that time for buyers.

The Ramdatt’s house overlooks the Mahaica River and they have done a great job keeping the place clean and tidy.

Under a huge tree, they have a wooden swing for recreation and they would source water from the Mahaica River for chores and the garden.

The yard is well-kept and has lots of plants, flowers and trees to beautify the surroundings.

“We like it here, this is our home, and we have to make things work for us so we can earn and have a comfortable life,” Nandranie said.

Her husband, Deochand, is a full-time farmer and their son supports him. That day, they had a harvest of ochro.

Deochand inherited the house following the death of his father, who was also a farmer. This month, they will observe his first death anniversary with a religious ceremony.

The house was built in the 1960s and it is a lovely colonial style with its original windows and wooden design.

The Ramdatts have done a good job of preserving the building and it looks almost new.

Hemchandra Ramcharitar
Next door is the home of Hemchandra Ramcharitar, 56, a farmer and security guard attached to the Little Biaboo Health Centre.

He has a cultivation of plantain, potatoes, cassava and banana in his yard and would work daily based on a shift system.

He would utilise his bicycle to get to the location from his home.

Ramcharitar would sell his produce to wholesaler buyers who frequent the village.

“I have been here all my life; I like the quietness, the cool breeze, and the space, so I have to make life here,” he said.

The resident of Big Biaboo told the Pepperpot Magazine that his life is simple and he hopes things will get better in time.

“I wish we can get internet, an all-weather road and electricity soon; that will enhance our lives significantly,” he said.

That day when the team visited, Ramcharitar’s sister was visiting from overseas, and as a Guyanese, she was happy to be back at the place she was raised from birth.

She makes the annual visit to have a dip in the cool, black water of the Mahaica River, a pastime that she will never get tired of.