Gangaram Munialall certainly grew up in humble surroundings. His grandmother used to sell at the Bourda Market to provide for him, his brother and his mother. You see, Gangaram’s father died when he was just 8 months old, leaving him fatherless. “It was hard growing up without a father”, he expressed painfully, “I never knew the love of a father. My father never bathed me or fed me”. Despite being so unfortunate at an early age, Gangaram sought to make something of himself. He turned to his books! He studied hard and passed his common entrance exams and then moved on to his Secondary Education. After 5 years of intense studies, Gangaram completed his Secondary Education and got CXC passes in multiple subjects. However, that wouldn’t be the end of it! Seeing the need to aim higher, he enrolled and got accepted at the Cyril Potter’s College. It was a home run!
Life at Cyril Potter’s College
Life at Cyril Potter’s College wasn’t all glitter and gold for Gangaram.
“It wasn’t easy. I had to study hard. There were exams to be written. Assignments to be done. Debates to attend, and the resources were few and limited. We had classes from 9 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon. After that, we had study groups in the dormitory halls until 9:30 pm. By the time I was finished for the day, I was so tired.”
Were there any happy moments? “Yes”, he responded, “What left me awestruck was seeing people of different cultures and ethnicity come together and study together. We would help each other out to pass our exams. We also had a lot of fun together. We played basketball and cricket. It was fun!” Time sped by and the three years at Cyril Potter’s College were nearing its end. The final exams were here, and Gangaram wrote these after years of studying. In the year of 2010, Gangaram graduated as a Certified Teacher. He had accomplished much! But how? “Determination and knowing that you are here for a purpose”, was his response, “I want to succeed”.
A Difficult Decision
It is the responsibility of the Teaching Service Commission to place graduating teachers at respective schools. And so, Gangaram was scheduled to be placed at Pomona Secondary School, on the Essequibo Coast. This proved to be a challenge to Gangaram. Why? “My Grandmother had gotten old and sick, and she needed me. She was living alone in Leguan and I couldn’t leave her. So, I asked for a transfer to Leguan Secondary School”, he replied. In the year 2010 and henceforth, Gangaram has been and is teaching at Leguan Secondary School. He teaches Economics, Mathematics, and HFLE. In addition to this, Gangaram is House Master of his “house” or “Team”. He coaches them cricket and is responsible for organizing cricket matches. Are there any challenges in teaching at Leguan Secondary School? “Many. Because of the location of the school, being so far away from the city, it limits the resources that the children can access. The only available research tool is the internet. The children aren’t exposed to such things as the National Library and the National Museum. Many drop out too because of broken homes and having to fend for themselves and family.”
A Pleasant Change
Sir Gangaram Munialall & Family
With such a hard and pressing life as a youth, Gangaram’s circumstances changed suddenly from that of a single man to a married man. He is happily married to Areefa Khan. “It was a double wedding you could say. We did the “Nikka” (wedding according to Muslim rites) and then we did the “Marro” (wedding according to Hindu rites). Not long after Navindra Munialall was born, followed by his sister Gavani”. Parenting is a joy to Gangaram. “I can do for them what my father couldn’t do for me. I bathe them. I feed them. I dress them. I take them for walks. I teach my son to ride a bicycle”, this proud father exclaimed. When it comes to Navindra’s Education, Gangaram doesn’t play around or fool around. Navindra has to study for at least 25-30 minutes on the weekdays and double this time on the weekend. Gangaram’s motto is “Education is Priceless. Education is a means to end poverty”.
Great Expectations!
Gangaram has experienced a lot in his 32 years of life on earth. Just like everyone else, he has an ultimate goal. “My goal is to fully take care of my family”, he confesses. Now, Gangaram passes his time between caring for his family, managing a few small businesses, actively being involved in Leguan’s National Democratic Counsel, and teaching as his profession. What an eventful life! For a certain, Gangaram started from humble beginnings and has moved on to Great Expectations!
Article Written by Juan Ramdial
