Teachers resort to various side hustles to eke out a living from small salaries

Feb 11, 2024 News

Kaieteur News – With a steep rise in cost of living and salaries which leave much to be desired, some teachers have resorted to using their skills and talents as a means of generating a livable income.

Cupcakes made by Miss J

One teacher does plantain chips to help with her expenses

Some of the barbque chicken from a side hustle of a senior teacher in Region Six

The nails that were done by teachers in Port Kaituma

During the ongoing Guyana Teachers Union (GTU) – led industrial action set to engage government for higher wages for teachers, this publication reached out to a few teachers who spoke about the various side hustles which help to keep them afloat when their salaries “can no longer cut it.”

Tishonna David, a teacher from Port Kaituma, Region One told Kaieteur News that her monthly expenses far outweigh her $93,000 take home salary. The trained teacher and mother of one, therefore resorted to becoming a nail technician on weekends and holidays.

“You can imagine, there is no work that is easy and I’m not complaining but you see during Christmas, I try to catch my hands and work on some nails. Within a few days, I was able to make $50,000 but don’t talk,… my shoulders hurt, really hurt because of the angles you does have to be in to file these nails,” she said.

Another teacher from the area who referred to herself as ‘Ms Anita’ also works as a nail technician on weekends and works as a makeup artist occasionally to make ends meet. She told this publication that while she loves teaching, the salary that she receives at the end of the month cannot cover the needs of her family. She is a mother of two.

“I have a spouse but I have to the extra to bring in enough for us to live comfortably.”

Ms. Taneka Samaroo from Region Three told this newspaper that she would sometimes make plantain chips and other local snacks to sell to assist her financially.

“It does not be a lot but it comes in handy when I have to pay passage or buy any little thing for myself,” she noted.

The teacher said though she has not been in the profession for as long as some of her colleagues.

She noted that, “For many persons, teaching is a chosen profession one that they love to do it but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the salary is too small and the cost of living is rising. These things can affect the way you look at a job that you are passionate about. It kind of kills your spirit.”

Mr. Rayel Franklyn from Region Six has been in the system for 23 years. He is a senior master and on the higher end of the salary scale. However, the teacher said his household demands have caused to set up an entire barbeque and grill business.

“I decided to start the business my government income could not take care of my family of four adequately. So I opened a weekend barbeque and grill business to assist with my wages. It brings in the extra so that I can do what I needed to do,” Franklyn said.

Another teacher from Region Six who referred to herself as ‘Miss J’ told this newspaper that she started her business in 2019.

She said that she initially focused on cakes and then expanding into customized items and online shopping in 2022.

“After I finish CPCE in 2018 I started looking for another source of income because with the constant increase in cost of living one source of income was no longer enough to assist myself and my family,” she said.

According to the teacher, her dream is to have her own home and vehicle by a certain time.

“I am trained since 2015, and if I was to rely solely on teaching it just won’t be enough. After starting my business, I’m no longer living pay cheque to pay cheque. I’m now able to pay my bills and save for the future. Since I started my business, I was able to create a better future myself and family. My salary only covers my expenses. I can now save to buy a vehicle from the money I have earned from my business, had I waited to save that from my salary, I don’t know when I would have been able to even buy myself a car,” she said.

Martin Samaroo from Region Two asserted that if he didn’t have his side hustle, “I and my family would be dead in our boots”

“It sounds rough but that how it is when the money you are working for can barely take care of you and those you care for.”

The teacher works as a photographer part-time. He told Kaieteur News that his earnings from photography helps to keep him going.

“My side hustle sometimes earns me as much as my salary,” Samaroo stated.

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Cupcakes made by Miss J, One teacher does plantain chips to help with her expenses, The nails that were done by teachers in Port Kaituma

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