Naresh Arjune is very comfortable working from home as a mechanic and a self-employed resident of Free Yard, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.

The 41-year-old reported that he has a natural likeness to fix things that are broken. As such, he developed the habit at a young age to make things operational once again.

He realised he can become a mechanic. Being a lover of vehicles, he was fascinated with that prospect and he qualified himself for the job.

The father of two added that it has been 12 years since he is in that field and he moved to Free Yard after marriage from Ulverston, Corentyne.

“Working from home is quite convenient and I would have it no other way, I would take my time to complete jobs and so far, things have been fair,” he said.

Joshua Wilson, the GWI employee
Meanwhile, Joshua Wilson lives just next door and he is married with two children and moved to Free Yard Village from Rose Hall when he tied the knot two years ago.

Wilson has adjusted to life in Free Yard and seems comfortable, despite challenges of garbage collection in the village.

The 23-year-old advocated for regular garbage collection in the village.

Milton Totaram, the single dad of three
Milton Totaram is also a resident of Free Yard, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice and he is a single dad of three school-age children who cannot hold a steady job since he has to be at home to tend to his children.

The 55-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that he is a labourer at Albion Sugar Estate and things have been difficult for the past two years managing the home, work and the children.

He reported that the children are ages six, 10 and 11, two boys and a girl and he is doing his best to ensure they go to school.

To top it off, Totaram is renting a house since doesn’t own a plot of land yet but has made an application to the Ministry of Housing.

The sugar worker is originally from Betsy Ground, Canje and relocated to Free Yard, Port Mourant, 13 years ago.
“The front part of this village is very quiet and safe, but the same cannot be said for the rear. I have four dogs for security because the ‘village thieves’ would jump in the yard to take away things that are left unattended,” he said.

Totaram disclosed that the house he is renting belongs to his ex-wife’s family and they assist him from time to time, and he is very grateful for that.

Ulamattie Jailall, the home-maker
Ulamattie Jailall is is a stay-at-home mother of four and disclosed that all of her children are grown and moved away except for one son, who still resides with her.

The 61-year-old is attached to Albion Sugar Estate as a fitter machinist, a product of the nearby Guysuco Training Centre.

That day when the team visited, Jailall was at her neighbour’s home. She assisted them in picking some shrimps, leaving her doors open as usual.

She has a tidy, well-kept home and surroundings and had already cooked and completed chores quite early, a normal task.

Jailall celebrated her 61st birth anniversary on Sunday and was happy she could and has the blessing of good health.

Her husband passed away years ago and was bedridden before succumbing to a stroke.

To become gainfully employed, Jailall would still do part-time domestic work within the village despite her age and she likes being active, something to do all the time.

Jailall told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living in Free Yard Village for the past 25 years and it is a nice place to settle since the neighbours are good.

She used to live in Suriname with her husband and her father-in-law encouraged them to return to Guyana.

It is in relatives of her late husband’s house she occupies and it is the only shingle house in the village that is still standing. It was said to be built in the 1960s.

The house is a landmark and it is part of history, in the days of indentureship.

Parts of the house have been rehabilitated but a section is still in its original shape, as it was constructed many decades ago.

The house is in front of the landmark tamarind tree, which is said to be more than 100 years old.