Jai Ramnarine
Jai Ramnarine
Hindu Immigrant, Civil Engineer and Auditor
I always give advice to my kids that you need to work hard and be respectful to teachers and elders. Without hard work you gain nothing. If you want to be somebody in life get a good job and work real hard.
Jai Ramnarine
Hindu Immigrant, Civil Engineer and Auditor
My name is Jai Ramnarine. I was born in Guyana, South America, January 20, 1958. I have seven brothers and two sisters. When I was growing up my dad worked hard in a rubber factory and a sugar factory to make money for my family. My mom worked hard raising nine kids and taking care of the household.
My parents were very strict. My sisters and brothers and I had chores and schoolwork to do every day. My chores were helping to clean the home, taking care of the chickens, and working to grow fruits and vegetables in the garden. The older siblings helped to care for the younger ones. Although we did have fights, we learned a lot from each other. We also had a lot of fun with each other and learned the value of sharing. Life was tough, but my parents always made sure that whatever we had at home was enough for all of us. Growing up in a large family was an amazing experience. I treasure my mom and dad.
In Guyana education is valued. Even though my dad never went to school, he was our second teacher at home. He made sure we learned what we could from school and encouraged us to do more. He let us know that the students with the best grades would get the best jobs. So after I finished high school I went to college. I couldn’t find a job, so I worked on a farm. I felt very discouraged and useless for not using the education my parents helped me to get. But I persevered until I got a job teaching woodworking and technical drawing. Then I got another job with an engineering company building bridges and schools.
I wanted to continue my education and improve my life, but that was hard to do in Guyana because of scarce jobs and high unemployment at that time. I decided to come to the United States in 1982. But jobs were hard to find in the U.S. as well. I lived with my brother for a while. I finally found work at a shampoo factory and also at a Halloween costume factory. I worked 20 hours a day for three months! I only had time to eat peanut butter or turkey sandwiches for dinner. Since 1982 I don’t eat peanut butter or turkey sandwiches!
Working two jobs I earned enough money to attend college again. I took computer classes at Minneapolis Community College while also working as a cook at Byerly’s, which I still do on weekends because it’s fun and I like the people. I also got a full time job as an auditor for BI and have continued to work there for 22 years. My learning continues at work. Every day I learn something new and different and expect a new challenge.
My single life ended in 1998 when I married my wife, Suchitra. My uncle in Guyana thought I should marry. Our families knew each other and thought she would be a good wife for me. I corresponded with her for a year and then married her when I went to meet her. She came to the U.S. in 1998. We now have four children, two boys at Highland and three year old twin girls. We have taught them about their Hindu heritage and traditions as well as other religions. I would love to take them to Guyana, away from the snow and cold, but I know they have more opportunities here in the U.S., as I did.
Growing Up in Guyana
Honoring Jai Ramnarine
Growing Up In Guyana
(Honoring Jai Ramnarine)
Growing up in Guyana
Wasn’t like the United States
Growing up in Guyana
My Dad worked in a sugar estate
Growing up in Guyana
Where they planted sugar cane
For molasses, sugar, and rum
From the time I was young
I had to walk two miles both ways
To get to school each day
Growing up in Guyana
When my father was a teen
Growing up in Guyana
Worked in a rubber factory
Growing up in Guyana
To raise a family
Father he would go to work alone
While mother she stayed at home
Making sure the kids got fed
Nine of us to put to bed
Growing up in Guyana
We had to do chores
Growing up in Guyana
Before school in the morn
Growing up in Guyana
Feed the chickens, mop the floor
Plus made sure the garden was clean
Growing fruits, vegetables, and greens
Studied hard, passed my exams
Became a teacher when I was a man
Growing up in Guyana
Taught for two years
Growing up in Guyana
Then worked as an engineer
Growing up in Guyana
Building bridges, schools, and roads
Where ancestors from India came
With the British as indentured slaves
Through it all, still believes
In Phadwah and Diwali
Growing up I Guyana
Where the Festival of Lights
Growing up in Guyana
Falls on the darkest night
Growing up in Guyana
To this land of snow
To find work, in a factory
To make shampoo, costumes for money
To worked one shift and then worked two
Without a wife what could I do
Growing up in Guyana
I returned to meet my wife
Growing up in Guyana
The most amazing thing in life
Growing up in Guyana
Is how they sacrificed
Even though I came from a large family
I was not deprived of anything
Work hard to succeed in life
Go to school that’s my advice
Growing up in Guyana
Now I have four kids
Growing up in Guyana
So thankful for all of them
Growing up in Guyana
Now I must sacrifice
For my children that I dearly love
Do not quit, until the job gets done
Work hard to succeed in life
Go to school that’s my advice
Music by Larry Long. Words by Larry Long with Ms. McConn’s 4th Grade Class from Highland Elementary School, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
© Larry Long 2009 / BMI