IN Bunion Dam, Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice is the home of Albion/Port Mourant Sugar Estate employee, Lakeram Lalbeharry, a father of one, who is expecting his second child and has a lot to look forward to.
The 30-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that life is quite normal in that village and he goes about his day at work which is on a shift system, so he is away at work mostly and when he is at home, he would try to catch up on much-needed rest.
He reported that a lot of people migrated and the older folk have since passed on and most people that reside there have lived all their lives there so they are known.
Lalbeharry disclosed that in his street, which is a dead-end, there are a dozen houses and most of the locals were at work and they are neighbourly.
This section of the village is made up of lots of trees, especially mango, in the yards of the villagers along with plants and flowers.
Lalbeharry’s wife, who is heavily pregnant, is a stay-at-home mother who does the chores and cooking and also takes care of their six-year-old daughter, who was away at school.
“This is a nice quiet street, a place I am accustomed to and we all know each other here and this is a place where you can still visit your neighbour for anything but people prefer to stay in,” he said.
Indira Boodram, the home-maker
Meanwhile, Indira Boodram is a neighbour who was relaxing in her hammock after completing household chores and cooking that day when the team visited.
The 53-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she has been living in Portuguese Quarters Village, Port Mourant for the past 26 years and things have been quiet.
She added that she is the mother of two and it is a peaceful place to settle and raise a family.
Boodram stated that her husband, Hardat Boodram is a pastry maker at the nearby Spready’s Bakery and Snackette and she once worked there and it was the place where she met him and they got married.
This resident is very benevolent and does her part in the community by giving back via a feeding programme for the elderly and children.
She reported that annually, when it is her birth anniversary, she would prepare meals and take them to the orphanages in Berbice and feed the children as her way of giving back to society.
Boodram explained that at times her relatives, who reside abroad, would send money for the same project and she would visit the home of the elderly and do a feeding programme.
“It is something I look forward to and I feel a sense of joy giving back because the less fortunate are people too and they need our support so it is my duty to engage in feeding programmes,” she said.
Boodram visited the Kamal Home for Children, the Dharmic Sabha Home and the homes for the elderly along the Corentyne corridor many times to spread joy and even though it is yearly she would get donations from relatives to provide meals sometimes twice a year.
“I would go and ask what they need for lunch or dinner and based on that menu, I would prepare the meals. In addition I would bake cakes and buy ice cream and other goodies to make the occasion extra special,’ she said.
When the team visited, she was in her favourite spot, the outdoor hammock chatting with her daughter, on that rainy day, a typical day in the countryside village of Portuguese Quarters, Port Mourant, Corentyne, Berbice.
