Tamica Garnett balances work and motherhood
‘Market mothers’ making ends meet
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud
Empowering women and girls in challenging circumstances
20 Qualities of a good mom Security guard: A challenging profession for single mothers
To be celebrated on Sunday, May 09
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
Losing child inspires inner entrepreneur in Mary Hohenkirk
LOSING a child isn’t easy for any mother or family to handle. The grief, shock and pain can last for years, and even the rest of their lives. The same can be said for Mary Elizabeth Hohenkirk, a young mother whose business surrounds the design, creation and distribution of various types of cards. When she lost her child in August of 2005, it could have been easy for her to spiral into depression and leave her business behind, but Hohenkirk says that the loss of her child is what pushed her to build her business. In 2000, when Mary started out making cards, she had resigned from her job to take care of her young family. And, after being at home for one year, being the industrious and creative person she was, she decided to get creative and design her own greeting cards to send to family and friends in Guyana and abroad. Her family, impressed by her creations, encouraged
the young mother to find a market for them, thereby prompting her to transform her new hobby into a business venture. After exploring the market and being discouraged by some prospective buyers, her persistence paid off eventually, when one large department store in Guyana, Fogarty’s, decided to sell her cards. When demand became greater than what she was able to supply locally, Hohenkirk began to import additional greeting cards from recognised companies, including Blue Mountain Arts, American Greetings, Hallmark, and so forth, to satisfy her customers’ demand. After the loss of her child in 2005, her business had kept up fairly well, and Mary Elizabeth continued to distribute her cards on a wholesale level. However, one day, during the month of December, in that year, as she was passing by the then newly-constructed City Mall at Camp and Regent Streets,
Hohenkirk seized the opportunity to enquire whether spots were available. Luck appeared to be on her side, as she was able to open a small store within the mall, which was the beginning of the retail venture for her and her family. “Out of the loss of a child, a business was born,” Hohenkirk said in an interview with this publication. The logo, she says, was crafted to honour her child. Kards Plus Greeting Card and Gift Centre has been in operation for 15 years now, according to Mary Elizabeth. “Kards” was intentionally spelt differently to give her business an air of uniqueness that would resemble that of the products she stocked. Over time, with the growth of her customer base, and the need for diversification, two more stores, adjoining Kards Plus, were rented for its expansion. There, customers could find a wide assortment of greeting cards for all occasions: birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, con-
gratulations, retirement, love expressions, seasonal greetings, among countless others. The store also stocks gift items for all occasions, both every day and seasonal. These include religious gifts, birthday presents, tokens of appreciation, handbags, perfumes, and other traditional gift items. Kards Plus Gift Centre has maintained a high standard, both for goods and personal services to its customers. It is through this that the business has managed to bring them back time and again. Hohenkirk boasts a staff complement that is both well trained and courteous, making customers’ shopping experience both enjoyable and worthwhile. Kards Plus can be reached via their Facebook page, Kards Plus Greeting Cards and Gift Centre, or by their website kardsplus. com, where customers can purchase products online, and have their purchases delivered locally, without leaving
Proprietor of Kards Plus, Mary Elizabeth Hohenkirk the comfort of their offices tion.” Mary Elizabeth takes great pride in her work and or homes. The motto of the busi- continues to find ways and ness is “Providing a quality means to improve the busistandard of goods for max- ness with the help of her imum customer satisfac- younger son, David.
GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
Security guard: A challenging profession for single mothers
WHEN 28-year-old Linda (only name given) was growing up, she dreamed of becoming either a teacher or banker; for 40-yearold Melissa (only name given), she wanted to be a chef. However, through a series of unfortunate socio-economic challenges that included becoming teenage mothers, and dropping out of school, today both single mothers work as security guards. In individual sit downs with the Guyana Chronicle, the mothers smiled and at times were even brought to tears as they each told their respective stories of being brought up in single-parent households, feeling unloved by their mothers, becoming teenage mothers, dropping out of school and even persevering above thoughts of giving up on life. Though they don’t know each other and have never met, their respective life stories follow parallel backgrounds. And they are not alone, their upbringing is one common to many single mothers who have turned to working as security guards to ensure they are able to put food on the table for their families. But with the profession often paying minimum wage, and, in many cases, calling for 12-hour shifts, it is not an occupation that is kind to single mothers, many of whom sometimes have challeng-
es with finding adequate child care facilities for their children. “It’s hard, it’s so hard,” Wilson expressed. Wilson will be spending half of Mother’s Day working a ‘6am to 6pm’ shift. A mother of three school-aged children, she said it’s taxing juggling the job while taking care of her children. “If I work the night shift, I have to come in the morning, prepare lunch, then I have to go over to get the wifi to do the school work with my children and I’m not getting rest. I probably might get a two or one hour rest. It’s really hard but I have to make it work,” she said. Wilson left her first security guard job after noticing inequitable treatment by her supervisor. It took her some time before she finally landed another job. Though in the past security guard jobs were dominated by retired men, looking to supplement insufficient pensions, these days, women, particularly single mothers who did not finish school, are practically taking over the profession. As the requirements in the job market have increased for even simple jobs, increasingly younger women are now turning to the security guard profession where academic requirements are minimal. Some turn to it to escape abusive relationships or to
be able to afford their own accommodation and escape depending on family members. A mother of three, Linda was just 25 when she entered the profession. “Bills had to be paid,” she shared, as she told her story. In Guyana, the security guard profession is also fraught with issues of abuses by the security companies, including continuous problems of late payment of salaries and non-payment of deductions to the National Insurance Scheme (NIS). The issue persists since security guards are not unionised and are often intimidated by the companies to refrain from joining unions. NEW GOAL Linda does not hope to remain in the profession forever. Though she no longer aspires to be a teacher or banker, she now desires to one day become a social worker, after having found a passion for helping persons in circumstances similar to hers. She also wants to be a part-time hair dresser and hopes to one day own her own home. “I want to finish building and getting myself in order. I plan on getting back to school and doing evening classes and doing a certificate course in the hair dressing programme,” she shared. Linda had only made it to Grade Nine before she was forced to drop out of
secondary school. She related that she got caught up in “bad company” and became pregnant at age 14. Though happy to become a mother, it was not an easy road for her, particularly when her partner became abusive. Even as she continues to hope to one day improve her own situation, she loves to encourage other mothers also facing difficulties to stay strong. “Just know you don’t have to depend on a man for everything, we can make it on our own. Don’t give up. It had times when yes I wanted to give up and it brought me to tears but my kids are loving and they are understanding. Kids are a blessing so I encourage single mothers not to give up, there is light at the end of that road,” she reassured.
With four children, one of whom is still in school, Mitchell first turned to the profession of being a security guard when the father of her first two children died, leaving her the sole breadwinner. She was a security guard for seven years before once again becoming a stayat-home mother. However, when her second partner also died, she once again returned to the profession. Mitchell was 17 when she became pregnant with her first daughter. Mitchell said she too got caught up with bad company, due to the way she was treated by her mother. “I didn’t have no mother’s love, I grow with my grandmother. I don’t know if I was a bad child or not but my mother used to say I was a bad child. So from the
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age of 13 I’ve been living in Plaisance with my grandmother,” she shared. “I did want to kill myself, because how a mother is supposed to look after children, my mother never was like that for me. I don’t know if is because my father go way and left her when she was having me or something,” said Mitchell. She eventually dropped out of school when her mother was not finding her birth certificate, which would enable her to write national exams. Today, she has resolved to no longer worry about her dreams of being a chef, saying “Life goes on.” For her, the profession has not been a bad one and she is grateful for at least that much. She is just worried at times about her unpaid deductions to NIS.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
Working mother Clestine Juan I THINK being a working mom is hard work and when the pandemic hit it set the bar even higher for us. I became a teacher, a disciplinarian, a mental health counsellor and an extracurricular activities director for my eightyear-old daughter while also managing to be an essential worker as a journalist. Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, it has been tough balancing my career with my daughter, who is at home learning remotely. This experience has left a profound shift in our lives and a loss of our normal routines. But on a positive note, the pandemic has allowed me to interact more with my daughter and help her form new hobbies such as reading and biking to help Clestine Juan with her daughter her ‘destress’ from what is ongoing in the world around her. Growing up I always heard the African proverb “It takes a village to raise a child” and during the pandemic, my family members have all been taking various roles to help me. From my sister assisting my daughter by teaching and my grandmother with her general supportive care. Even my uncle has helped my daughter with her projects when I had work to do.
Tamica Garnett balances work and motherhood I AM mom to a very energetic, bubbly, amazingly friendly three-year-old boy. Being a single mom in the media is definitely hard because that’s two competing, demanding occupations. I’m so grateful to have great support and encouragement along the way that has helped me navigate the environment and make it work. From my supportive family members who I can turn to for babysitting when I feel overwhelmed, to even my coworkers, who are so friendly and helpful whenever I bring my son to my workplace, I feel the love and support. I’ve also had the fortune of working at a media house where my superiors are always understanding and accommodating of my situation as a single mom and the challenges I face. I don’t think they will ever understand just how grateful I am for that, especially because it enables me to ensure I can focus on enjoying what it means to be a mom. Being a mom is something I’ve aspired to from a very young age. I had an obsession with babies and my family would always joke that I needed to hurry up and have my own child. I had my son in my late 20s and though I wish I could’ve started having children at a younger age, I’m glad I waited until I was a little more financially stable, so I can be able to give my son an appropriate life. I love everything about being a mom, but I think that’s also because my son has just made that easy. He’s amazing. Being a mom has been everything I’ve always dreamt it would be, sometimes I feel like I need to pinch myself to be sure this is real and I’m not still just dreaming.
GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
20 Qualities of a good mom
1. Always offering your love. Lots of hugs and kisses. 2. Trying to see things from your kid’s point of view. Asking their opinion whenever it’s possible or appropriate. 3. Patience. And then more patience on top of that. 4. Setting boundaries, lest you end up with little monsters who walk all over you. 5. Giving unconditional love. 6. Having one-on-one time with each kid. If you have one child, making sure you have ‘solo’ time with that child, too. 7. Learning that discipline is a good thing; gentle, non-violent discipline. When you say ‘no’, mean it. That way, you’re not raising brats. 8. When you bring a new life into the world, they should be your top priority, and know it. It’s a great way to raise up a strong, self-assured, confident person. 9. Be their parent; not their friend, for the first 18 years or so. Then you’ll be their best friend for the rest of your lives, when they hit about 20 and suddenly get what you did for them. It’s pretty awesome! 10. Be willing to get peed, pooped, and vomited upon. 11. Having a sense of humour. 12. Balance. 13. Making sure you always do the best you can; admit when you’re not. Learn to do better, and follow through. 14. Being able to survive harsh conditions; all kinds of harsh conditions. 15. Relaxing a little. 16. Not freaking out about doing things perfectly, or according to what everyone else says. 17. Getting some time away, so you can come back an even better parent. 18. Thinking first before you yell or hit, or learn to live with regret. 19. Baby-proofing really well so you don’t have to say ‘No’ all the time when they get into things they shouldn’t. 20. Always letting your children know when they do a good job. (cafemom.com)
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
Empowering women and girls in challenging circumstances
WOMEN’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN), a massive new programme by the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security that seeks to empower women and girls, and help them become financially independent, will be launched today, and piloted in Baramita, Region One, within the next few
days. Open to women all across Guyana, WIIN, available both Online and in person, will provide the women with economic benefits, along with an enabling environment to help them boost their self-confidence and individuality. “She will be empowered and able to provide for her-
self and children,” Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud said, adding that if a woman is in an abusive relationship, she will be able to use what she learns from WIIN to choose if she wants to continue with the relationship or not. And if she does choose to leave, she would then be in a better position to care for her needs. While there is no admission criteria, emphasis will be placed on women and girls who have not been able to finish school, and courses will be presented in Spanish and various indigenous languages. As a long-term goal, the ministry will be looking to see how it can arrange to have the modules translated into the various dialects of the indigenous communities. According to Minister Persaud, WIIN follows on the heels of WE LIFT, an
Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr. Vindhya Persaud empowerment exercise that be rolling out a series of was held at the Guyana Con- technical-vocational trainference Centre that was able ing programmes across the to get 75 women-centric country. People can access businesses together. “From these programmes either food to salons, making soap, through Online or hard-copy you name it, and they were applications at ministry locathere. We then realised that tions, and through commuwe needed to tap into much nity outreaches which will more than that,” the minister start today. The deadline for said. submission of applications is WIIN has several com- Monday, June 14, 2021. ponents to it, but every person, irrespective of what TRAINING course they’re doing, will be WIIN will provide opsubject to a core component portunities for training which will equip them with in both conventional and information on the legisla- unconventional avenues. tion, their rights, and social “Whether persons are interissues, including domestic ested in garment construcviolence and abuse. tion or Information Com“People have to be able munications Technology, to see, seize and create op- graphic designing, video edportunities in preparation of iting, photography, interior where our country is going, decorating, we’re moving to and be very creative so that cater for what is happening they have a competitive edge in our country, and what will in promoting their skills,” be opened up,” Minister PerMinister Persaud said. saud explained, noting that Firstly, the ministry will they will also be taught how
to do a business proposal. “People are being equipped with the skills, so that they can go out there and make a good living, or they can choose to be their own bosses. Additional benefits of WIIN include the provision of functional, business, social issues, and legislative literacy,” she said, adding: “It will also cover areas in anger management, emotional intelligence, coping mechanisms, as well as information on support systems from the ministry.” Each course will be followed by an assessment, and the top five students will be eligible for assistance to start-up their businesses. “WIIN is for them to go out there and become employed, or start their own business. We will link them to other funding opportunities, including but not limited to Small Business Bureau. So while it may not be financial assistance, let’s say we’re training them to sew, we will work to give them a sewing machine, fabric or whatever they need,” she said. “The programme will help them to find links to funding sources so that they can get their businesses registered and have a guide on how they can access funding and grow their businesses. “This was piloted and was successful, so this is now the full programme that is being rolled out. We will also provide mentorship so that they are not left on their own after this project,” she added. The WIIN programme is creating an employment opportunity for some of the victims of the recent Sharon’s Mall fire who practised cosmetology to become trainers. Currently, the ministry is in the process of setting up a female-centric business incubator at the Guyana Women’s Leadership Institute (GWLI), where WIIN and other programmes will be rolled out. The GWLI will be the lead agency for all of these programmes, and while training will happen there, it will also happen in all communities across the country. Meanwhile, the ministry is also in the process of creating a digital directory and ‘app’ of all women-owned businesses in Guyana, and female business owners have been urged to send in their information to be added to the directory. This is an initiative at no cost to the businesswomen.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021
‘Market mothers’ making ends meet
By Vishani Ragobeer
IN many of the markets all across Guyana, the vendors are predominantly women. They are assertive women eager to ‘brackle’ you for a sale, or, at the very least, get you to consider patronising them. While they are ‘hustling’, however, many of them are cognisant of the need to provide for their children. Princess Andrews and Chitra Latchman are two such women who have been plying their trade for decades. Currently, they are both ‘hustling’ at Bourda Market, on North Road, Georgetown. “I’m a single-parent, and I wukking for over 20 years by myself to maintain my children,” Andrews said when interviewed by the Guyana Chronicle. She had five children, but unfortunately, she lost two of them. She also has nine grandchildren and two great-grands. She recounted that it felt as though she “used to sleep and wake up back” in the market, because of the long hours she worked. And, while she toiled, her children dutifully went to school, as she
wanted them to. But ever so often, however, they would
my children does look after me… After working so long,
Chitra Latchman help her sell some of her produce after school. “Right here, I do everything fuh maintain them. And I like the selling,” Andrews said, pointing to the colourful vegetables spread across her stall. Proudly, she stated that her children “come out good,” highlighting that they have always been responsible and well-mannered children. As such, she posited, “I don’t regret it (working in the market) though, because now
the children get big, and me ain’t fighting up.” But, she is adamant about selling fresh vegetables instead of retiring. Even though her children take care of her, Andrews said that vending is her profession, and she loves it. She also said, quite matter-of-factly, “I don’t want to stay home, watch TV whole day and get sick.” This Sunday, however, she may happily stay at home and let her children, grand-
children and great grandchildren treat her for Mother’s Day.
with her. “Me nah a fancy woman; I don’t want to go out
Just across from Andrews is her colleague, Chitra Latchman, who shares a similar story. “I does come out early in the morning and leave late in the night, and some family members, like my niece and so, help to take care of my son,” Latchman said. This was the routine she adopted after her son’s father left after he was born, and she assumed the roles of caregiver and provider. It has been 38 years since she began selling at the market. Latchman also recounted that she and her son have always been close, and their bond grew deeper when she was able to build her own house. The two of them lived there, and now, her son also lives there with his wife and children. And, the aged woman, who beams at any mention of her son, proudly stated that he is a police officer. On Mother’s Day, she said that she is usually pampered; her son prepares all of her meals, and spends time
Princess Andrews
or anything, so that does make me happy,” Latchman said.
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GUYANA CHRONICLE FRIDAY, MAY 7, 2021