CHAIRMAN of the Canefield/Enterprise Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) Sherryann Beharry told the Pepperpot Magazine that a lot of emphasis is being placed on community development via the NDC.

She related that with their resources, they managed to upgrade several internal streets in Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice, which was deplorable.

Beharry stated that they have completed four internal streets to concrete in the village, and they also have an asphalted street.

The NDC Chairman disclosed that they cover six villages in their catchment area and equally, they would do community projects to enhance the lives of the locals via good roads and infrastructural works.

Beharry pointed out that they also completed revetment works at the sea defence boundary in Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice.

In addition, she related that the Canefield/Enterprise NDC also paved the once mud dam to an all-weather road which Guysuco uses to access the cane fields and residents of that section of the village.

She explained that they do maintenance of drains and parapets as much as possible in the six villages under their jurisdiction.

The shop owner

Reshma Motilall earns from her home in the form of a shop which is in her front yard and is easily accessible to the school children just across the road, Betsy Ground Nursery and Primary Schools.

Motilall would make milky fudge and salted peanuts to wash down with cold beverages and packaged confectioneries for the school children to buy on week days.

The 51-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that since she established her shop nine years ago, her fellow villagers have supported the small business and depend on each other to earn.

Motilall added that living in Betsy Ground Village, East Canje, Berbice is a good thing. The place is quiet and not overly populated but has houses on both sides of the main public road with a few internal streets.

She stated that things are fair and life is not as fast-paced as in other bustling villages and she has gotten used to that lifestyle; slow but sure.

Being self-employed is indeed a gift, and working from home is even better for Motilall and her family.

The mother of four reported that all of her children live outside the community but has a daughter that is still with her and a grandson.

Her husband has a steady job and things are exactly what it seems in this village that is still set in old times, where most of the people are offspring of plantation workers.

“I don’t sell liquor or cigarettes, just a bit of snacks for the school children and a little bit of groceries and it is a job for me even though it is not a big income. I am still satisfied,” Motilall said.

Outram Shamsundar
Meanwhile, Outram Shamsundar is also a resident of Betsy Ground, East Canje, Berbice and in all his 49 years, he has lived in the community.

He is an employee attached to the nearby Rose Hall Sugar Estate and was on that day awaiting his time to report for duty based on a shift system.

Shamsundar told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is responsible for taking out the punts from the backdam of the canefields.

He likes the quiet countryside life because it appeals to him and the stability and familiarity combined make it worthwhile.
“There is no place like home and this is it for me and my family,” he said.