Decades of struggle, sacrifice, and survival—one mother’s fight to provide against all odds.

FOR more than three decades, Dawn Gordon has worked at the bustling Stabroek Market, vending small goods to earn a living. A mother of six, one of whom is disabled, Dawn has weathered immense struggles—from losing her husband to raising a family single-handedly. Yet, despite the hardships, she remains steadfast, a woman refusing to surrender to life’s challenges.

Dawn’s journey into motherhood was anything but easy. She recalls how, after working at a soap factory, she was forced to leave when the company shut down. It was then that she turned to vending, starting small by selling biscuits at the market gate before gradually expanding her business. Recounting her experience, she stated, “There were days when it was difficult, but there were days when you could smile. But as years go by, things become difficult. The money that you used to generate in the years before, you can’t generate it now,” she shared.

Raising six children without a stable income meant sacrifices. Dawn’s husband had passed, leaving her to play both mother and father. She ensured her children went to school, each attending different institutions across the country, while she worked tirelessly in the market to provide for them. “I had to start playing the role of a mother and a father in my children’s lives; the struggle was on again,” she shared.

Even after her children grew older, she continued to push forward. Her days started early, sometimes as early as 7 a.m., gathering goods, setting up her stall, and preparing for long hours of selling. But in recent years, business has changed. “The business is not like how it was years ago; too much competition. We still have a few customers, but the sales have slowed down a lot,” she stated.

Despite the financial strain, Dawn never gave up on her children. She believes that survival is about perseverance, even when circumstances seem bleak. “As a woman, parents tell you, do not give up. Don’t give up. Life ain’t no easy. Life is where you make it. You gotta fight to make it something,” she stated. This motto has been her motivation for years, particularly when it came to balancing a demanding job and a large family.

Among the six children Dawn raised, one requires her constant attention. Her 21-year-old daughter has a severe disability that has left her unable to care for herself. Miraculously, despite this, Dawn remains optimistic. She shared, “My daughter was born disabled and can’t do nothing for herself. But nevertheless, I didn’t give up. I continue to do what I have to do as a mother,” she stated.

One of the reasons Dawn remains so optimistic is the overwhelming support she receives from her children. With her daughter needing special attention, each one of Dawn’s other children takes up the mantle of caring for their sister. This close-knit family connection is the reason Dawn was able to persevere. “The children play a great role in assisting me with her. They help me a lot. The people I work with, they all help me,” she stated.

Despite the emotional and physical toll, Dawn remains steadfast. She urges other mothers in similar situations to seek support and not lose hope. “I would tell any parents that may be in a position like me, who have a child that is disabled, don’t give up. Don’t give up. Keep fighting,” she encouraged during her talk with Pepperpot Magazine.

While motherhood and caregiving have tested Dawn’s strength, the battle to keep her small business afloat has been just as challenging. The economy has shifted, competition has grown, and making a profit is harder than ever. “When I came here in 1992, we used to throw $200 a day in the box, and still, $200 a day used to make good money. But now, you say $4,000, you can’t even buy something,” she stated.

Over the decades she has worked, Dawn has made massive strides—putting her children through school and building a home of her own in the village of Pouderoyen. Like so many informal vendors, she lacks some necessary documentation to access small business loans, leaving her with limited options for growth. Now, looking toward retirement, Dawn would like to see more business opportunities for small-time vendors like herself. “I would like to do something else after this. I want to do something with a loan. Small Business Bureau. But I heard you have a lot of things you require. So, a place where businesses like mine could get a loan would be very good.”

As she reflects on her journey, Dawn acknowledges the struggles but remains grateful for the strength she has developed along the way. “Sometimes, I used to say I would regret it. But then, at the end of the day, when I look at it, I say, God gave me a choice and I had to make a decision. It was hard, but I don’t regret my choice,” she stated.

Dawn Gordon has endured loss, poverty, and the daily struggles of raising a family with little to no support. But through it all, she has held her head high, continuing to fight for her children, her business, and herself. Today, Dawn says she is ready to retire and spend time with her children and grandchildren. Her story, like so many women in Guyana and beyond, highlights hardship, survival, strength, and the enduring spirit of women who refuse to give up.