DEVANAND Mamgar doesn’t let things get to him, and his way of coping is to be occupied doing things that bring him peace.
He is a resident of Portuguese Quarters Village, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice and when the Pepperpot Magazine visited, he was mending his castnet he uses to go and catch fish at the canal aback his home.
Fishing is a pastime for Mamgar, who took the option of early retirement, having accomplished his years of service within the sugar industry.
The 58-year-old reported that he would only go fishing whenever he feels like it and it is a form of recreation for him and if there is any catch, he would bring it home for the pot.
Mamgar stated that two months ago the pot-holed dam was replaced with a concrete street, which is a significant development for the locals.
He noted that the only issue in the village is flooding and when it rains, the road being much higher the rainfall water would run off into his yard and lodge there.
Mamgar explained that he was a cane harvester attached to the Albion/Port Mourant Sugar Estate for 37 years and after he was diagnosed with chronic arthritis in both knees, working became difficult.
He, however, opted for early retirement, was paid off, and is at home doing many things to pass time without being bored.
Mamgar added that Portuguese Quarters Village is mostly quiet and it is a good place to reside despite the challenges of everyday living.
Meanwhile, his wife, Hainita Mamgar, a mother of three told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is a housewife and she would basically take care of the home, the chores and cooking,
tasks she is accustomed to and they are never-ending but she does them anyway and she has a 29-year-old daughter, who is differently- abled who would assist her in the daily chores.
This couple reside in Middle Street and they have a nice home and surrounding they have maintained to a good standard over the years.
Mary Boodhoo, the stay-at-home mother
Down over in the north section of Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant Village is the home of Mary Boodhoo and her husband, Lloyd Ramnarine.
She reported that about two months ago they benefitted from an upgraded road and she is very pleased about it because it was a mud dam and navigating it was a challenge.
The 54-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that the village is flood-prone and often there is water accumulation when it rains.
They rear some creole chickens and they had to build the pen higher but still the water would manage to get in and cause the birds to die from cramps.
Boodhoo related that life is fair in that village and she is quite comfortable despite everything isn’t in her favour.
Her husband, Lloyd Ramnarine added that he is a mason/carpenter and when the rainy season is here work is not readily available. However, he would do other things to occupy his time.
That day, he told his wife to take a break and he did the cooking of curried boulanger with friend fish and rice.
Oshni Motiram, the home-maker
In the Cross Street is the home of Oshni Motiram, a mother of two, who would transport her children to and from school every day via her motorcycle.
The 28-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been residing in the village for the past two years and things have been good so far.
Her spouse is a block-maker and together they rear some sheep.
Motiram reported that things are quiet in that section of the village and there are no houses in the back street, only pens for sheep which belong to a resident.
She noted that she lives in the same street as the Kali Temple and she would keep to herself but is cordial to the neighbours.
“Things are okay here and it is relatively a safe community to live,” she said.
Motiram’s home village is the neighbouring community, Rose Hall, which gained township status and it remains a central hub of businesses and services.
