Wishes for the New Year

What the people say about…

Interviews and photos
by Shabna Ullah

As we say goodbye to 2012, we asked persons about their major wish for the New Year. Here are their responses:

Mohamed Ramzan, snow-cone vendor,
`I would like to see everybody in the country unite and live together in love and harmony. People need to stop seeing each other by the colour of their skin, religion or by the party they are supporting. To me this has to start from the top; the government and the opposition need to work together to build the country. If the opposition parties continue to go against the government, there can never be progress.
They need to work along with the government. To me what is going on in the parliament is more like a tug-of-war situation.’

Lakeram, businessman,
`My wish for the New Year is for the country to progress more. Right now I am not seeing too much development. As far as I am concerned it’s like we don’t even have a president in this country. It seems as though he is not in control because he is not making decisions properly on his own. I would also like to have continued success in 2013.’

Adasa Collins, vendor,
`I wish for all good things in the New Year. I am currently living at a relative’s home so my major wish would be to have some money and have my own house and land. The money that I earn as a vendor is not much and I am struggling to get by. I would also wish to provide my child with a better life.’


Patrick Fredricks, pensioner,

`Well, for the New Year I would wish that God would spare my life and keep me in good health. I also wish for more unity, co-operation and better relationships within my family. Most of all, I would wish for my sight to improve in the New Year. Right now I am having blurred vision and I have to go back to the doctor.’


Naseem Banoo, weeder at Blairmont Estate,

`I would wish for more progress in the country and for everybody to come together and live as one. The political leaders need to work along with each other so that the country can be a better place for us to live. A lot of people are migrating for a better life but if we have development here and low cost of living people would not leave.’


Maurius Bastian, food vendor,

`Well, right now I am not the owner of a house so my major wish for the New Year is to have my own house. I have already started to make the plans and I am working towards it. This would help me to have my independence. I am also looking at expanding my food business. I would also like to assist in protecting my village and I would be joining the Community Policing Group. This way I can help to prevent crime and keep my neighbourhood safer.’

Eswana Ally, post-girl,
`It is my wish for everybody to live in peace and happiness in the New Year and that all of the politicians can unite for the betterment of the country and the people. I also wish that everyone would have their hearts’ desires fulfilled.’


Trudel Fordyce, caterer,

`I wish that everything would be successful for me and my family and that the New Year would bring us some good things.
I also wish for items to get cheaper in the country so that people can be able to survive on their small income. It is very hard for some families to get by. I would also like to see all Guyanese unite.’


Rajdai, vendor,

`I would like to see positive changes taking place in the country so that everyone can benefit. I wish that citizens come together more as one. I also want people to change their lifestyles and remember their creator. My wish too is for people who are in a better position to help those who are facing a difficult life. Right now a lot of people are finding it hard to get by. I wish too that the prices for items and the exchange rate can drop and major development can take place in the country.’

Joseph Tirbhawan, vendor,
`First of all I would like to wish everyone a happy New Year with peace, love and understanding. Actually, my major wish is to quit drinking [alcohol] in the new year. I know that the mind controls the body but at the same you cannot follow the mind, you have to go to God. It is ‘mind over matter’ and I want to do the right thing because it would be good for my health. I have already taken steps to quit by reducing the amount of alcohol I consume. I know that with determination I can make it happen.’