Young entrepreneur ventures from farming to explore new skills

By Faith Greene

Ruby, East Bank Essequibo is full of the most talented and hardworking people. At just age 23, Alvin Singh started his own business after returning to Guyana from the twin islands, Trinidad and Tobago.

The young entrepreneur stated that Ruby has been his home all of his life. When he moved to Trinidad, the back dam had only just gotten roads and street lights. Although he excelled during his time there, Singh said that due to financial hardships at that time, he dropped out of high school.

From there, he started working on the farm but quickly realised that he could not withstand the weather and other trials of the farm life, and pursued other jobs.
Leaving the farming life, Singh said he went to a man named Harry in Zeelugt, where he worked for him for three months. At this point, the man asked Singh if he would like to go to Trinidad.
Being eager to work, Singh agreed, left for Trinidad at around age 14 or 15, and spent seven years there.

“Work was hard. Working at a young age, wake up at six in the morning and by the time 7:30 you start working from 7 in the morning till late,” he said adding hat while the pay was not huge, he still was determined to excel there. He said that it was there that he learnt his trade.
Despite his many challenges, Singh’s fight to achieve his goal was gained when he returned to Guyana seven years later. Singh said he enjoys doing autobody repairs. And said that it is more than a job for him, it was also his hobby.

He said that his father was a farmer and one of his siblings is a farmer too. However, he chose to break that mould and pursue a career in autobody work.
At Alvin Automotive and Auto Repairs, Singh said the main aim is to do autobody work on vehicles. He said that he does most of the work there, since he doesn’t depend on his other staff to get things done for him.

He said living in Ruby is nice and expressed that it is a quiet place. He said there is no stress as opposed to living in a busy area. He mentioned that his only concern is the grass that has been growing onto the roadway. He said that the Neighborhood Democratic Council (NDC) has come around to the Back Dam, saying that they will take care of that issue, but it is still to be done. He said that due to this, he had to write off his car a few days prior. According to Singh, “Last Sunday around this same time, my car toppled three times due to the same grass on the road.”
Singh explained the ordeal in great detail, saying at the end that it is his only concern in Ruby Back. He said that when he had just opened his business, the NDC was frequently there asking him to fix the drainage and the fumes from the paint and other chemicals he utilises for his business, but no one is coming to look after this hazard.

The man shared that almost everyone practices farming or sells produce on the market. He said they leave Ruby and travel to Bourda Market, where they try to make a profit on their crops. He said that his father is one who travel’s every day to the market to earn. He explained, “They does buy the crops that farmer plant here, and they carry it and sell it.”
He called this the norm of market business, where farmers supply them, and they supply the people with crops at the market. Notably, Singh says he has attended business seminars and participated in the many opportunities for small businesses across Guyana.