Dis Gyrl

In 1951, on hearing that she had passed her Teacher Training qualification with first class, her best friend’s father, Amin Sankar exclaimed – Dis Gyrl – beaming with fullest pride. Joyce, Estelle Trotman, 23 at the time, recalled this moment as the first time anyone had congratulated her for an achievement. She resolved that it would feature somewhere in the telling of her life story one day. Born in the then British Guyana in 1927, at 95 ‘Aunty Joyce’ has accumulated a wealth of experiences, memories and wisdoms of a life impressively immersed in education – both learning and teaching. Whether sharing the benefits and drawbacks of an extensive colonial education, her early childhood and family life, or experiences of migration, this enchanting autobiography is recounted with a natural eloquence and vivid honesty.