Residents embrace tradition

By Michel Outridge

FARIDA Yusuf is a resident of Le Destin, East Bank Essequibo and is still very much active at home where she has a small roadside stand selling sweet sapodillas, star apples, papaya and peeled tamarind.

All her fruits come from her back yard and when it is too much for the household she would sell off the excess, reasonably priced.

The 68-year-old told the Pepperpot Magazine that she came from humble beginnings, hard-working parents from Leguan, Essequibo River, who were rice farmers and had a few cows, as well.

She stated that she came from a household of nine siblings with seven sisters and they all had to participate in chores plus go to the backlands to work, catch fish and assist in the farm and minding the cows.

Instilling good moral values
“Our parents installed good morals in us and we turned out well because we know to work and make a living and not be dependent on anyone. My parents were hard-working people and they took us to the back dams to work with them and we appreciate the value of things and hard work,” she said.

Humble upbringing

“We used to live in a small house in the Old Road, Le Destin and we were happy even though we struggled but today, I turned out well and by our good upbringing I am fully aware of the value of things and how they are acquired,” she explained.

Yusuf added that she used to enjoy going with her parents and siblings to ‘throw cast net’ in the back dam trenches for fish, which would become their dinner and the clean outdoor life they had.

“My parents are from Leguan, Essequibo River and they were rice farmers, who toiled endlessly to make a good life for us and we appreciate that because when you work hard you never get sick,” she said.

Yusuf stated that her husband is 72 years old and he is still good company and today, he is enjoying his golden years of retirement.

She reported that she is looking forward to observing her 69th birth anniversary and still would prepare meals and do all household chores but her favourite part is cooking on the fireside which is in her back yard.

“You know fireside food is the best food because it has the right amount of heat to give you properly prepared foods much to your taste and I grow up on good fireside food,” she said.

Meeting Beepat
Meanwhile, the team also met Ramesh Beepat, his family and some friends, who had just returned home from a trip to Parika.

He owns and operates the only outboard engine workshop in the village and that day when the team visited he was not working and had some errands to do.

Beepat, a father of four related that they have an empty plot of land next door which they utilised for recreational purposes in which they have a few hammocks with some cooking utensils and a makeshift stove.

The area, he said is used for cooking and they would relax and put on a pot while they enjoy the cool breeze of the Atlantic Ocean.

Beepat disclosed that his family is from Hogg Island, Essequibo River and they have a farm of plantains and pumpkins, of which they would sell their produce at Parika, East Bank Essequibo, to wholesale buyers.

He is married to Samantha Beepat and their family resides in Old Road, Le Destin in an extended family setting which seems to be going well for him.

“We and some friends just come back from Parika and we are thinking of putting on a pot and have a drink or something because as is, nothing is happening so we might, as well,” he said.

Beep at specialises in the repair and maintenance of all speedboat engines and is well-known for his trade among his peers.