Missionaries and Harvest Time The Fishers died in British Guiana and were buried in the burial ground of the Anglican Church at Golden Fleece, Essequibo Coast. The Angel statute in the burial ground is a monument representing where Mrs. Fisher was/is buried. The schools in the days of British Guiana were run by the 4 main Christian churches which are and were the Anglican, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and Methodist. Teachers were required to be a member of one of these churches in order to obtain a teaching position. Gibson Fisher Memorial Canadian Mission School was ran by the Presbyterian Church and missionaries worked with the school to educate the pupils. Ms. Cameron was one of the missionaries there when my parents were going to school as my mom used to tell us stories of her. She lived in Zorg, Market Dam in the Bachan’s house and my mom and her siblings along with other girls in the village used to go and assist her in household chores. Ms. Ramsay was there when we were going to school in the very late 50s. She came there in the very early 50s (I believe) and 60s and she lived in the Manse at Sand Yard, near to Johanna Cecilia. The Manses were built to house all the Missionaries and their staff. There was also one at Abram Zuil that housed the Methodist Missionaries. Both Ms. Cameron and Ms. Ramsay taught bible lessons, hymns and prayers as these were rituals every morning, before lunch, after lunch and before going home, Easter and at Christmas and Harvest time. They also played the grand piano which was in the school and was situated in-front of the stage on the eastern side. *The grand piano was removed around 1963/1964 and taken to the Presbyterian Church at Johanna Cecilia, when Ms. Ramsay returned to Canada. That was the time when the Government took over the schools from the churches. Sunday school was held every Sunday in the school from 3 – 4pm by the missionaries, Ms. Cameron during her time and Ms. Ramsay during her time. Girls were also taught how to sew, do straw work, needle craft and proper etiquettes. Boys were taught to do wood work, hammock weaving, gardening, paper mache and other crafts. Harvest concert and sale used to be held before the Christmas Holidays at night at the school. Farmers were asked to support the school with their produces, such as rice, paddy, ground provisions, cane etc. The school use to have crafts and needle work, such as pillow cases, towels, table cloth, crafts, hammocks and other items made by the pupils of the school. All of these items were put on sale after the Grand Harvest Concert that was put on by the pupils with the keen and careful direction and eyes of the teachers and missionaries. The proceeds from the sale were used for repairs, purchase books and other necessities that the school required. Teachers and pupils were required to decorate the school in preparation for the concert and their will be a sense and feel of happiness and joy in the air with singing of hymns, carols and joyful chattering and cheerfulness, by teachers, pupils and even in the communities that revolved around the school. Children and teachers could be seen and heard practicing for the concerts and clapping and cheers by the pupils who did not partake but were supporters in preparation for the concert. Parents were required to get their children dressed and ready for the concert, girls wore special white dresses, red ribbons, white socks, and black shoes. Boys wore white shirts, black pants, white socks and black shoes. There were always excitement on the night of the concert and parents and supporters in the community will turn out in large droves to witness their children perform. A small donation was taken at the door for entry and teachers were tasked to collect the donation. As the concert closes the sale will begin and everyone was anxious to see their produce sold as well as the items from the school. Oh what memories this brings back…all for your imagination and memories for those who experienced it.
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 18:40:58 +0000
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