Oluatoyin Alleyne

“I never wanted to be a grandmother at this age. I still see my child as a baby and now for her to go and have a baby?

In 2013, as a young entrepreneur, Abigail Loncke started her business which unfortunately flopped.

As the chief counsellor of the Salvation Army Drug Rehabilitation Centre John Greaves saw firsthand the havoc drug addiction wrought on people’s lives and even as he fought to save them, he was inspired to do more to prevent men and women becoming addicts.

“The first time I thought of it I was scared. I could not believe that something like that would enter my mind.

“Excuse me, I am crossing over because by the time I walk around I may lose the seat and I really need the seat,” she said as she lightly held onto my shoulders before quickly grabbing the seat next to me.

Like many before her, Nicola Shultz felt she had received a death sentence when she was diagnosed with cancer of the thyroid but with great family support over the years this survivor is now part of a strong support group for those who are struggling with their diagnosis.

Since she was a child, Shari Rodrigues was always drawn to animals, especially dogs and cats, and so today it is no surprise that she has not only opened her home to some and’responded to those in distress on the streets, but with the help of others, also opened a foster home.

Kerese Collins was young and still unmarried when older women in her church sought her advice on marital issues, which she freely gave based mostly on her observations.

“I don’t know if I am being too hard on her but even though I know she may not be around much longer like I just wish she would just say I am sorry.

In June 2010, 25-year-old Mary Sandy was leaving the Providence Primary, where she had taken her young son to school, when she was struck and killed by a car while attempting to cross the road.

“It is very hard because it is my daughter and I just want her with me.

Having a conversation with Eric Huntley, who is just a month shy of his 90th birth anniversary, is like talking to a virtual history book.

“We lef home since 5.30 this morning and we reach just after 6 and you know what time we get through?

“If you hear how these dentists talk to the mother and the child, it was just lef for me to cry and I could imagine how that woman feel.

There is no doubt that sexual harassment is prevalent in workplaces but because it is not taken seriously by many organisations, the victims are often re-victimised and they suffer in silence.

Growing up, Petra Richmond dealt with her challenges and pain silently and in her attempt to keep it all in, she self-harmed and wanted to end her life.

“Let me tell you something, it is 14 years now I living with HIV and right now I don’t allow it to bother me because I have to live my life.

To some, Weusi and Vilma Tafawa, who hail from Buxton and Bachelor’s Adventure, respectively, might appear to be thrill seekers, but the couple, both aged 70, did not decide overnight to climb Africa’s tallest mountain.

“At one time, he didn’t want to go back to school and it was hard to get him to go.

Retired in the United States, Gem Fraser has returned to her homeland after 38 years and she wants to offer Guyanese something different when it comes to designer clothing, jewellry, fabric bags, and scarves.