53-year-old Wynette Campbell of Ann’s Grove is a vendor who owns and operates a small business at the Stabroek Market.
She initially attended Ann’s Grove community High then wrote exams and gained a spot at the Hindu Ashram.
However, she dropped out of school and started to work at the age of 16 as her family was financially challenged.
“At one time I go out to Antigua and work in the gutter, cleaning the drain. Next time I go to St. Kitts and use to go in the fields picking onions, next time I use to do trading at Suriname. You know you can’t give up you have to focus in life and go after it.”
A short time after, Wynette got married at the age of 19, then gave birth to her sons that year and then a year later. However, she lost both of her sons at the age of four and five in separate car accidents.
“I cry for them every day because you know why? Sometimes when you want to do something you have to pay people children money and I does cry for them but then you can’t ply in the face of the almighty because the bible says he giveth and he taketh he knows best.”
The grieving mother however said that losing her two sons at such a tender age has made her stronger and sparked her interest in helping out other families in need.
“I have about 17 children that I help them mom take care of them. Send them to school and today some of them in the army, some of them outside and they come look for me and give me money and they does help me.”
She said that she finds joy in helping to take care of others and that hospitality has built her quite a reputation which she believes has taken her far today.
The vendor explained that even though her business isn’t doing so well right now she still loves plying her trade and more so, she is thankful that her business was able to help her be a positive force in the lives of many children.
“Sometimes whole day you sit down, nothing ain’t selling but when I know I got to get something to carry home you can’t go and ask your neighbour because how much time you can go and ask your neighbour? I does go and ask a friend passing somebody look nothing ain’t sell buy something for me and they will give me.”
In her free time, Wynette likes to read and listen to gospel music.
Her business offers a wide range of shopping bags, hair and cosmetic accessories as well as face masks.
When asked for any words of wisdom she would like to impart on other women aspiring to make a difference, Wynette said to “always be independent and don’t stop believing in God.”
