Latest update February 15th, 2025 6:02 AM
Mother Martha turns 103!
By Leon Suseran
Martha Banwarie, popularly known on the Corentyne as ‘Mother Martha’, turned 103 recently. The Berbician of No. 64 Village, Corentyne, had a small but special birthday celebration hosted by church members and close family on April 3 last.
At her home that day she was having lunch—beans and rice, one of her favourite dishes.
When asked how she felt having reached another milestone—103—she said, “Horrible! When you meet this age, you cannot do nothing by yourself—People got to do everything to you—I feel like a burden to people, but still I help myself.”
Born at No. 65 Village, Martha was an avid rice farmer in the area. She attended the New Market Primary School at Number 63 Village then started to do rice and fish farming.
Mother Martha is surrounded by her neighbours, church folk and the kids in the village
She migrated to Skeldon in 1941 where she married Henricus Banwarie. She was 34 years at the time.
She returned to No. 64 Village in 1966. She bore one child who died by drowning in 1972.
Her husband, Henricus, died in 1988. “I grow lots of children. People would come bring their children to go to school; they stay five years, six years; they go away then another set come,” she said.
She said that she even ended up ‘buying’ a child. After being a farmer, she became involved, helping mothers deliver their children and cared for them after the deliveries.
She was also known for creating concoctions for young mothers who had difficulty becoming pregnant; and they worked.
Her granddaughter, Corinna Peneux, who has been caring for Mother Martha for a number of years, said that they received a scare few weeks before Mother Martha’s birthday. The old lady fell very ill! She still makes regular visits to her family doctor, Dr. Seepersaud.
Peneux said that Mother Martha is still in very good health. “I thought she would have passed out. She was real, real sick—she wouldn’t eat. I called the overseas people and so and tell them that this lady would pass away.”
Mother Martha said that she enjoyed the celebration with her fellow church folk from the Anglican Church with Fr. Raeford Thomas.
When asked if she is ready and set to go for another year—104—Mother Martha laughed. “Well, to tell you the truth, one man got to keep you—that is the Man above.”
The family has been celebrating Mother Martha’s milestones. On the occasion of her 100th birth anniversary, more than 300 persons gathered at the home. There was a lavish celebration with friends from near and far.
We continue to wish this gem. All the best as she aims for 104!
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