A peaceful place

RAMPATTIE Lutch has a lovely home in Free Yard, Port Mourant Village, Corentyne, Berbice and her nephew lives with her. They have seven cats and a puppy for company.

The 73-year-old is a simple person who goes about her daily activities quietly and, that day, when the team visited, she was preparing a meal of fried fish, dhal, carilla and rice.

She reported that fried fish was the favourite meal for the cats and she would try to do some fried fish as often as possible for them.

While she does the cooking, her nephew, Nandram (only name) would assist with the shopping via his bicycle and do the household chores.

Lutch related that it was difficult for her to get around due to chronic arthritis in the feet. As such, Nandram, 67, who is also suffering from various sicknesses would try to do the most.

The elderly woman is living in her parents’ place, which she inherited following their death and her father was a well-known rice farmer back in the day.

The duo seemed contented about their simple way of life and it showed.

Shivanie Cecil, the housewife
Meanwhile, in the same street is the home of Shivanie Cecil, 28, a mother of five small children whose husband is the sole breadwinner.

Cecil reported that she has lived in that street for the past six years after marriage and she was from a street away, having been born and raised in Free Yard Village.

She described life in Free Yard as peaceful and just quiet since the neighbours are normal people who are kind and respectful.

Joel Sukanand
Joel Sukanand is 62 years old and he is a stay-at-home elder who takes care of his ill brother-in-law, who was once bed-ridden. They live in a lovely big house in Pay Office Street, Free Yard Village, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

He related that the house sits on land bought by his late father and the design is quite unique and very different from any other dwelling house because it is his own creation.

Sukanand worked with the Albion Sugar Estate for 17 years as a labourer/builder until his accident in 2000. He was deemed medically unfit and received a one-time pay-off.

Since he has been unable to find regular work, he is at home doing the cooking, cleaning and taking care of his brother-in-law, who is moving around just a bit due to illness.

His home is a safe place for dogs, stray ones and even though they belong to neighbours, would visit him every day and he entertains them by providing a meal of whatever is in his pots. In return they provide security for his property.

Behind his house remains the only wooden cottage in the original state as it was built and was first occupied by indentured labourers, who worked at the sugar plantations.

The owners are overseas and caretakers use the cottage.

Asoda Ramanah, the goat herder
Asoda Ramanah is 65 years old and a resident of Free Yard Village, Port Mourant. She has many goats and she takes them out to graze daily.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that she doesn’t mind taking out the goats every day, a task she enjoys, walking through the village, taking in nature and what it has to offer.

Ramanah is one of the few elders who are still living in the community since most people her age have since passed on while some migrated many years ago.