After nearly 50 years, hinterland is home for pioneering teacher Eleanor Abraham

Eleanor Abraham and late husband Anthony with five of their eight children. From left are Anna Abraham, Bonita Sampson, Michael Abraham, Angela Parks and Michella Abraham-Ali. Missing are Devina Taschke, Alaric and John Abraham. (Photo courtesy of Michella Abraham-Ali)

When a newly-married Eleanor Phoolmattee Abraham nee Ragnauth left her Whim home on the Corentyne in January 1972 and journeyed to the Rupununi to join her husband, she never expected that almost 50 years later, the Macushi village in Nappi, Central Rupununi would become her lifelong home.

Now 73 years, Abraham, a mother of eight children with 14 grandchildren, also never expected she would gain the trust and confidence of the people of Nappi to be elected a leader of her adopted village and represent it at different forums.

The former teacher and former head teacher of Nappi Primary, first joined her husband, also then a teacher, in Sand Creek, South Central Rupununi in January 1972.