AMEENA Gafoor, a distinguished Guyanese woman born in 1941, has transcended humble beginnings to become a cultural luminary, educator, and philanthropist.

Her story weaves through generations of indentured immigrants, and today, her legacy resonates globally.

Ameena Gafoor’s ancestry is rooted in the indentured immigrants who arrived in Guyana from Basti, UP state, India, in 1898.

They toiled for five years at the Success Plantation in Demerara before settling in Triumph’s backlands.

“…. my grandfather sitting in the stern like a Rajah while my grandmother fixed the fat rope attached to the bow across her right shoulder and walked barefooted on the grassy left bank of the middle walk canal pulling the boat, produce and grandfather with her,” she stated.

Gafoor’s recollections vividly describe her grandparents’ daily journey to their farm, symbolising resilience and hard work.

Her maternal grandmother owned a small shop that sold washing soap, matches, tomato paste in tiny tins, and other items.

Inspired by her grandmother, a rare beneficiary of primary education during her time, Gafoor’s love for learning flourished. Nights filled with tales from the Taleem Islam ignited in her a thirst for knowledge and storytelling.

“At nights she read aloud, by the light of a small “speak easy” lamp, from the Taleem Islam, about the Hijra and the Battle of Kerbala and recounted to me the lives of the Prophets and many tales from the Arabian oral tradition. What I did not know then was that she infused in me a thirst for books, for knowledge, with a curiosity and an appreciation for storytelling, so that in decades to come, I was drawn to the literary arts,” Mrs. Gafoor recalled.

This passion propelled her to attain a Higher Senior Cambridge Certificate and later pursue Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of the West Indies.

In addition, she held a teaching position at Central High School where she instructed literature and French. Meanwhile, at Tutorial High School, she taught both French and Latin.

Mrs. Gafoor was also able to provide a platform to Guyanese writers and scholars like Michael Gilkes, Frank Birbalsingh, Sister Mary Noel Menezes, Stephanie Correia, Brinsley Samaroo, Mark Tumbridge, Ryhaan Shah, Charlene Wilkinson and dozens of others.

The Arts Journal also showcased the work of artists like renowned Guyanese artist Philip Moore, Darshanie Kistama, Bernadette Persaud, Betsy Karim, Philbert Gajadhar and several others.

Added to that, Mrs. Gafoor almost single-handedly commissioned and edited articles, reviews and creative work, designed the layout for the volumes, then presided over their publication and distribution, a strong testimony to her amazing commitment to the cultural and intellectual development of the region.

Gafoor’s love for literary arts manifested in a prolific career, including the publication of the first major study of Roy Heath’s fiction and her fictional memoir, “Lantern in the Wind” (2020). Renowned Guyanese academic, Professor David Dabydeen, lauded the memoir as “a rare insight into Muslim life in Guyana.”

As founder and editor of The Arts Journal, Gafoor contributed significantly to Caribbean cultural history. Over 13 volumes (2004-2018), the journal provided a platform for Guyanese writers, scholars, and artists.

Gafoor’s commitment to cultural and intellectual development shone through her meticulous commissioning, editing, and distribution of articles, reviews, and creative works.

Beyond academia, Gafoor embraced charitable activities, co-founding the Gafoor Foundation with her husband, Sattaur Gafoor. The foundation has funded numerous medical, educational, and sports projects, including the recent opening of the Ameena Gafoor Medical and Dialysis Centre at Gafoors’ Parika branch in November 2022. This centre, in collaboration with the private sector, aims to make dialysis treatment more affordable for Guyanese.

Gafoor’s global influence extends to the establishment of the Ameena Gafoor Institute for the Study of Indentureship and its Legacies at Cambridge University three years ago.

Directed by Professor David Dabydeen, the institute collaborates closely with Cambridge University, offering the world’s first Cambridge Visiting Fellowships in Indentureship Studies, commencing in 2023.

Ameena Gafoor’s indelible mark on the world reflects her tireless efforts in promoting Caribbean culture and providing a pathway for Indo-Guyanese to explore their heritage. Her journey is a testament to the power of education, culture, and compassion in shaping a brighter future.