PROFILES – African Guyanese in my life

In the evening of my day, as I reflect on my whole life, I have come to realize how much Africans have contributed to what I am today. All the teachers responsible for my education, from Primary A to my position as Certificated Teacher, were Africans. Some of them who influenced me most were Myra Moses, Edmund Paul, Ivy Jacobs, Lily Jacobs, Felix Stephenson, Albert Gordon, Fitz H. Pollard nicknamed “Tantin” and C.F. La Rose A.C.P. Most of these people lived in the village of Buxton, on the East Coast of Demerara in British Guiana (now Guyana), where I grew up.

Canon William Granville Burgan, of the Anglican Diocese was the Rector at St. Augustine’s Anglican Church in Buxton. He was my school manager and priest for twenty-one years and played a significant role in shaping my character. He was non-prejudicial and unbiased. He appointed me as lay reader, lent me books and used my knowledge of Hindi in the church. I held services in Hindi for elderly Indian Christians. When an old prominent Indian, the wife of a catechist died, many mourners and sympathizers were drawn from neighbouring villages and estates. He made me read the death sermon in Hindi and sing a bhajan (hymn in Hindi). When India achieved independence, He invited Indians to a special service where I read the lesson in Hindi. Canon Burgan was scholarly, but in the days of colonialism, he could not have reached the top. After his transfer to the church at Plaisance Village, we still kept in touch.

Albert Ogle, five years my junior, was my bosom friend. We were as Mr. Russell said in a letter to me like David and Jonathan. Albert himself said at one of our teacher’s conference that we saw eye to eye. We were interested in the same things like philosophy, agriculture and handicrafts. Every month he bought a book and shared it with me. We did farming at Mahaica at weekends and I visited his home on several occasions, made acquaintance with the family, and enjoyed his father’s reminiscences as a dispenser at NonPariel Sugar Estate. I must admit Albert had a brighter intellect than I, not surprising when you consider his background. He was able to comprehend more and was bold and articulate. He had a close friendship with his head teacher, Mr. F.H. Russell who, when there was a vacancy for a senior assistant proposed him, declined in favour of me. I did not get it however, and Telford, because I had lost favour with the manager Father Rupert Taylor, against the wishes of Mr. Russell, walked into the school. Mr. Russell walked out.

Fr. Taylor, not long after appointed me as senior master for Lusignan Government School where Cyril George Bryan was head teacher. Albert’s premature death by accident was a loss to his friends and his country.

Claude Holder, one year younger than I was bright and though I edged him by one percent at the Buxton Scholarship Examination, he became my tutor for the class examinations after he came out of Teachers’ Training College. Prior to that, before he became a teacher, we used to study together. I used to go to his house at the back dam most evenings to do literature, and we would read far into the night. He was my good friend. I was a regular visitor to his home. I had good relationship with the family. His death by accident saddened me much. He was near eighty at the time and still working.

Frank H. Russell, a six-footer was a man who influenced me very much. He was my teacher in the sixth standard before he left for Bartica as headmaster to the school there. He had a good handwriting and I used to imitate him. He liked games and he would take us to play the other schools in the village. He was a fine organist and his music had a special appeal for me. When headmistress Dorcas Glasgow retired, he succeeded her. I was happy because I knew he was a disciplinarian and teaching will be more endurable for me. The first day he came to school, he picked up the girl who was to be my wife and he embraced me. He was the one that got me to like teaching. I was happy with him and I knew he appreciated my contribution to the work of the school. He was open to my suggestions. I was able to do things I liked to do and which I thought would be beneficial to the children when they left school. I taught School Gardening, theoretical and practical, and got most passes (19) one year in the village. I taught some craft, sewing, physical training, especially military drill and pyramid building which we displayed on Maydays. I taught Geography, a pet subject of mine to those who were to become pupil teachers. Hector Lee was one of the brilliant pupils Albert and I taught. When he succeeded Mr. Russell gave us the money he received from the Educational Department for his success.

I remember, one day, Albert and I were working at an arithmetical problem and could not have solved it. I, with Albert’s consent, took the problem to Hector who was still a pupil. He solved it in a few minutes. Hector’s only weakness was in Drawing. His map of Guyana looked as if he had traced it around his fingers. Mr. Russell used to ask me to help him.

W hen Mr. Russell resigned and exchanged schools with Mr. Edmund Wills, I asked for a transfer to NonPariel Government School, but our friendship continued. I visited him at his new school and we kept up a long correspondence by mail. Sometime after his departure, he was invited by Father Taylor and the school to be honoured with an illuminated address which I was asked to word and design. Mr. Russell came and he and Father Taylor became good friends. After his retirement, I still kept in touch with him. I was at his funeral when he died and was churched at St. Augustine’s. Years later I was inspired to write the poem ‘Requiescat’ as a tribute to him.

Wreford Samuels was many years’ people’s warden of St. Augustine’s Church in Buxton. We had a good relationship. I was lay reader in his time. He used to like my short impromptu sermons. I discovered he was a man of ability, honesty and integrity. He worked conscientiously and was hard on those who took Holy Communion and did not pay their dues. He and his sister Mrs. Smith were strong pillars of the church. Although he had only an elementary education, he was articulate and grammatically correct. I remember when someone nominated me for people’s warden at an election for officers of the church; I did not decline, like three others before me. I did not want the position and I knew what the outcome would be. So when the ballots were counted, Samuels got all the votes; I did not get any. I voted for him, the persons who nominated and seconded me voted for him, my wife and mother-in law voted for him. It was a unique election. Samuels was so much appreciated by everyone, even those I know loved me voted for him.

Samuels was a ranger for the village. He walked everyday barefooted for miles to the back dam of the village to do his job. He had to report to the village council at their meetings, but his language was that of a schoolmaster. He could have been the chairman or secretary of the council and perform with more efficiency than his colleagues, but he chose a humble occupation and served with integrity and honesty. He told me he owed no man; he did all his buying in cash. When he died, the church lost its strongest supporter.