How one immigrant family has fully adjusted to Guyanese life

WHEN Agnia Sanabria and her family relocated to Guyana in 2015 from Cuba, she did not know what to expect after her spouse took a job here as an orthopaedic doctor. Today, it is safe to say that Sanabria is fully settled and willing to live here permanently because she is accustomed to the simple living.

When they first arrived in Guyana, the family lived in the city but did not like it there. They then moved to the countryside, Good Hope, East Coast Demerara, and started two small businesses from their home.

Sanabria and her mother, Maribel Rodriguez, 67, are seasoned crocheted makers who would in no time make some lovely pieces of clothing, animals, hair ties, bags, baby clothes key chains or any other items based on customer orders.

Crocheting is a third-generation tradition handed down through the family. It was Sanabia’s late grandmother who first became skilled at the art of crocheting and passed it on to her mother, who then passed it on to her. The crocheting small business is called “Crocheted Dream”, and they have since gone on to have their own customised tee-shirts to promote their business.

Sanabria’s daughter, Camila Perez, who speaks fluent English and manages the social media aspect of the businesses, is a student of the University of Guyana, pursuing an associate degree in biology but also wants to become a doctor like her father but a cardiologist.

Camila has a full-time job at Hardware Depot on Charlotte Street and also assists in the family cake-making business.

She came to Guyana when she was just nine years old, and today, she is 19 and loves it here in Guyana, a place she calls home. Still, she misses the beauty of the beach and her homeland, Cuba, from time to time.

Agnia told the Pepperpot Magazine that she was 24 years old when she made her debut in crocheting and it was a dress. Before, she practised making smaller things like table mats.

Agnia stated that it is a norm for people in Cuba to take up a hobby as crocheting because the tourists would buy the handmade items they produce and it is also a good way to pass free time.

She reported that two years ago, they began crocheting a lot as a hobby, which turned into a small business, and they have since rented two racks at two different locations to display and serve as pickup spots for their items.
The 47-year-old mother of two and a grandmother of one pointed out that they did not even know that their love for crocheting would turn into a small business due to the demand for items.

She said that they would love to have their own little shop to display their crocheted items and also their line of cakes and sweet treats.

“We love crocheting, me and my mom, who is living with us here in Guyana and we do it daily as part of our simple routine,” she said.

Agnia pointed out that “Crocheted Dream” is all handmade items based on orders received, and they fulfill them as quickly as possible and then would make other things.

She told the Pepperpot Magazine that they have a shelf at Progressive Couple Collaboration at Public Road, Good Hope and another at Arts and Craft at East Street, Georgetown, to display their items.

She related that they also have “Hilda’s Desserts” a cake-making small business named after her late grandmother and they make customised cakes and other sweet treats based on orders.

“I try my best to give the customers what they need… for maximum satisfaction,” she said.

Agnia added that they have adjusted to life here in Guyana. As Cubans, they have a happy home, and they are busy individually but still have the time to cook, take care of the plants and the pets, manage two small businesses, and set aside family time.