A Timehri mother shares why she is starting fresh

TUCKED behind the fast-paced races and loud voices of spectators is the lesser-known community of Circuit Area. Although there is some speculation surrounding the community’s name, most residents refer to their village simply as ‘Circuit Area’, a fitting name for the little village that overlooks the South Dakota race track. Among the dozen or so homes and less than a hundred people is Beryl Brown.

Born and raised on the East Bank of Demerara, Beryl says her journey to Circuit Area was marked by both good and bad. After calling Circuit Area home for more than 20 years, Beryl says she is on another mission: getting a brand-new home for her and her daughter’ and giving them both a fresh start.

Beryl explained that her first step out of Anns Grove came from her mother, who led the family to Hyde Park, another community in Timehri. Since then, Beryl says she has fallen in love with Timehri and opted to have a family of her own in the community.

As she explained, “I left Anns Grove when I was 15 because of my mom. She moved down here to Hyde Park, and I moved with her. I lived in Hyde Park, and I just stayed. I moved into the Circuit Area a long time ago, at least 23 years ago. I came here, and then my last daughter was born.” She further added, “When I first came here, it was just calm and quiet.”

Beryl Brown is a vibrant mother and a passionate entrepreneur with much ambition. The mother of three came to the new village of Circuit Area, as many people have, through marriage and family ties. Growing up in Anns Grove on the East Coast of Demerara, Beryl says life at that time was vastly different, and to some extent, it was vastly better.

As she stated, “I am originally from Anns Grove. Growing up there was good. Most of what I remember are my small days, playing, and so on. The main difference between here, in Circuit Area, and Anns Grove is that Anns Grove was a lot brighter. It has a lot more people.”

Circuit Area and the majority of Timehri exude a quiet, easy-going atmosphere. Whether it is the simplicity of people interacting with each other at a neighbourhood shop or the silence of the race track without a race, Circuit Area is definitely a peaceful place. But this peace is not without its challenges.

Beryl explains that the community is currently working with local law enforcement to eradicate the high number of home invasions the villagers have been victim to. As she explained, in recent times, the situation has improved with the presence of Guyana army ranks in the area.

An entrepreneur, Beryl runs a small business at her Circuit home. She explains that the business has been slow. With very little traffic and passersby other than at the Circuit, Berly says customers could be very few and far between some days. Moreover, she explained that the community’s population has seen a drastic decline.

As Beryl explains, over the years, more people have decided to leave the peace and quiet of Circuit Area’ and Beryl is no different as she plans to move as well.

For more than two decades, Beryl has called the Circuit Area home. Although she loves the village, she would like to acquire a home of her own and is on a journey to do so. After many years of living among family members and relatives, Berly believes it is time for her and her daughter to move from the community.

She shared that the journey to doing this has been difficult, but she believes it is for the best. As she stated, “I like the circuit area, but the distance is too much. Right now, I am paying for my new house. I have a long way to go, but I believe I am going to make it.”

Beryl’s biggest inspiration for owning her home is her 23-year-old daughter, Kimberly. An ambitious young woman, Beryl believes leaving the community will give the family more opportunities. She admits it is no easy task, but she is determined to turn over a new leaf. As she stated, “I want to get a house for me and for my daughter.” Beryl is like countless other mothers everywhere, always seeking to create better opportunities for their children, no matter what it takes.