JUST like any other resident of Unity Backdam Village, East Coast Demerara, Subrina Singh is trying to earn.

The 35-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she had bought the fish in bulk a few days before and had pre-prepared the fish by cleaning it properly and seasoning it overnight.

On Easter Monday, she gathered things for the outdoor fireside and had the cooking oil going on a hot fire as she was preparing orders of fish and chips for customers.

Singh stated that it was her first time doing something like that; she was of the hope that she will succeed and maybe if all goes well, she will do the same the next year.

“I am a farmer and I also rear some chickens to earn and right now every dollar counts because I am building my own house right in the village,” she said.

Singh resides in an extended family setting and she is a very friendly and pleasant person, who is a go-getter.

Gaitre Singh, the greens vendor
Next door is the aunt of Subrina Singh, who is a greens vendor at Plaisance Market, also on the East Coast Demerara.

The 56-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she would buy bulk vegetables from a farmer in Cane Grove and she would sell only on weekends.

She is the mother of two and her husband passed away 22 years ago.

Her daughter is married and living elsewhere while her son is residing with her.

Singh related that she is from Unity Backdam Village but was living further up the road while, her current location is her husband’s place.

“I like it here; a peaceful, quiet village. The people are good and there aren’t any disturbances,” she said.

Annette Ramnarain, greens and fruits vendor
Annette Ramnarain is the mother of four and a fruits and greens vendor who resides in the upper flat of her mother-in-law’s house in Unity Backdam Village.

She is originally from Mahaica and following marriage 20 years ago, she relocated to Unity Backdam.

Ramnarain sells at Bourda Market a few days per week and sometimes they cultivate crops to sell whenever the weather is favourable.

The elders of Unity Backdam
Meanwhile, in this village there are a few elders. One is 77-year-old Bisson Datt, who is a farmer.

He has been living in the village for the past 40 years and he lives alone in an old house which he says is his brother’s.

Datt is physically challenged and he is unable to work but would do odd jobs to earn given his physical condition, he is a bit slower than others and people would tend to under pay him.

He is unmarried and has no children and he would depend on a friend in the village for food which he would re-heat and eat.

Cooking is a difficult task for him and he doesn’t have much except for his bicycle, his prized possession.

Further down the road, is the home of Lakeram Bissoonath, a farmer, who also resides alone and he is 81 years old.

He works daily in the farm in his backyard and finds it a tall task to prepare meals daily since he does his gardening almost all day.

Bissoonath is the father of six and his wife passed away 16 years ago. His son, who lives in the same village, would check on him every day.

He has three cats and those are his company while, his dog provides security for the home and yard.