IF anyone had told Marcia Kwang that she would become an agro-processor later in her adult life, she would have thought nothing of it, but fate had other plans.
From nothing, just with in-bred memories of how her grandmother used to make cassava bread and cassava cassareep, as a child growing up, she used to watch but never had the opportunity to try on her own. Yet that vision stayed with her, causing her to practise until she perfected the task.
Kwang, originally from Kwebanna, Region One (Barima-Waini), said she left that community as a baby and has not lived there since. Her single mother, who had five other children, relocated to another far-flung village and later to the Pomeroon in search of work and a better life for herself and her children.
The 53-year-old, who was recently featured as the Agro-Processor of the Week on Big Market, an online portal, operates a thriving small business from her home, producing nine authentic products from locally grown cassava.
Even when the odds were against her, a lot of challenges had to be resolved. Eleven years ago, Kwang had to start from scratch when her sister abandoned the venture.
She picked up the pieces after three months, when the joint venture of making cassava bread and cassava cassareep became her sole responsibility.
That hurdle did not faze Kwang, who by then was accustomed to fending for herself and her two children.
It was then that it dawned on her that she wanted to be a stay-at-home mother to her two children, specifically to allow them to benefit from the secondary education she never had, so she worked towards building a business from the bottom up.
Kwang is the CEO and farmer behind Marcia Products. Since 2014, she has been turning locally grown cassava into nine authentic Indigenous Guyanese products—including cassareep, cassava bread in garlic, onion, and original flavours, quinches, tapioca, farine, cassava starch, and coconut oil.
She told Pepperpot Magazine that, at age 14, she had the opportunity to attend secondary school when she relocated to the city with her mother, who had a job.
Kwang said she eventually learned to read and write, something she never had done before, because of their situation. She had to work on the farm to support her mother who was providing for six children as a single parent.
She explained that she learnt responsibility at an early age. Their father never contributed to their upbringing, and she met him only when she was grown. He has other children from different unions, and she has only met two of her siblings.
Kwang stated that she was determined to make something of her life because she wanted her children to have a good foundation—education—so they would have the opportunity to choose their careers.
The agro-processor related that she did not let herself down. She began elevating herself by pursuing higher education, became a nursing assistant at a private hospital for five years, and later became a qualified teacher.
Kwang is a true testament to resilience, hope, courage and faith. Even when things were falling apart, she never gave up and always bore a positive attitude, which was noteworthy.
Today, after years of hard work, she is a recognised agro-processor whose products speak for themselves because of the quality and standards that go into their production—well thought out, just like homemade.
Kwang has a registered small business. She is also certified and licensed with the relevant authorities, making the products authentic and wholesome, free of additives and preservatives, and also gluten-free.
She has participated in several local and overseas expositions to showcase locally made Guyanese products and has also had the opportunity to form connections to market her products, which she supplies to 12 local supermarkets.
“Having my own small business, providing part-time work for two others, has really empowered me as a woman, an agro-processor and a mother, and it goes to show that no matter how small you start, always remain focused to see the project through, it has long-term benefits as an income earner,” she said.
Kwang told Pepperpot Magazine that starting a small business was not easy, but she made it happen by staying grounded, being a prayerful woman who always looks for guidance, and she believes that is what kept her motivated.
Of course, she had distractions and a lot of ups and downs, but she worked towards her goal of becoming an agro-processor whose products are retailed in leading supermarkets across the country.
Kwang added that today she is very grateful for the support she received from agencies and the training and loans she accessed, which helped her build a sustainable business.
