“The joy and happiness of being a father made me see life differently” – Lurenzo Pearson

Today we celebrate the multifaceted roles fathers play in society, more specifically in their respective households: to nourish, protect, and provide a comfortable life for their families. Today we pay tribute to the many fathers who go ‘above and beyond’ to ensure their families have the basics despite the challenges, and even if it means them staying without.
One such exemplary father is 30-year-old Lurenzo Pearson, a dedicated farmer and successful businessman whose story encapsulates the essence of hard work, determination, and familial love.

Pearson is the proud father of two offsprings, seven-year-old Luther Pearson and four-year-old Summer Pearson, for whom he caters with the assistance of his 28-year-old wife Nichola Atkinson. Born and raised in the community of Mainstay/Whyaka, situated along the Essequibo Coast in Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam), Pearson spent most of his days farming with his father, Leyton Pearson Jr., both for fun and financial purposes. As a result, the love for farming and family was instilled in him from childhood to adulthood, providing him the opportunity to share similar memories with his children.
With sweat on his brow and soil under his nails, he works tirelessly to ensure the land thrives and yields a bountiful harvest year after year. Notwithstanding, he does not view farming as a profession.
In an exclusive interview with Guyana Times, Pearson shared that his dedication to providing for his family doesn’t stop at the farm gate. On this point, he revealed that in addition to pursuing an agricultural route, he has also carved out a successful career as a businessman. This inspiration sprouted from the need to diversify his income and secure his family’s future. Hence, he ventured into the service industry by opening a food franchise dubbed “Lurenzo Lake View Restaurant and Bar”.

The young father shared insights into balancing the demands of farming and running a business, while fulfilling his role as a father who, when called upon, is there. When asked about his reaction upon the birth of his first child, he said, “Oh, definitely! It was one of the happiest moments…I have become a father, and I know the role that I have to play: to support my child until he is big, or, I should say until he becomes an adult. I was very happy to take on the responsibility and challenge of raising a child. When I looked at my first child, it encouraged me right away to have another. The joy and happiness of being a father made me see life differently.”
His first child was born when he was 23 years old, and according to him, he was fully prepared for fatherhood. “I was prepared! I had my own house, and that was the main thing, and I was in a job where I could have maintained my family. I had no problem.”

He advises young potential fathers to ensure the foundation is set. “The most important thing is that a child can put their head to rest and be comfortable. With every opportunity, you should grasp it to make yourself financially stable, especially for the babies. Always be prepared, and not just have a child and neglect that child of their needs and comfortable childhood; but also be prepared for the challenge,” he advises.
Pearson hopes that his children learn from him to be honest, loving, and hardworking in achieving their goals. The young father nevertheless complimented his better half, who supports him 100 percent.
“She is always there with me. Together we manage the home, business, farm and kids. She is my rock, and I am extremely happy to have her in my life. No matter the circumstances, she is always there for us,” he disclosed.
One of Pearson’s biggest challenges as a father is leaving his family for long periods. “It was not always easy,” he grinned, while adding, “At that time, I knew I had to set the foundation so that my children could have a life that even I didn’t have when I was a child.”
For him, Father’s Day is not just a time to receive accolades, but a time to reflect on the values he instills in his children: hard work, integrity, and resilience. “I want my kids to understand the importance of perseverance and passion,” he says.
He is not religious, but would ensure that his kids learn the basics in life. “Whether they choose to follow in my footsteps or forge their own path, I hope they carry these lessons with them,” he has said.
He says that, as a businessman and a father, there are certain demands and responsibilities. Daily, he would assist in taking the children to school, attend to his farm, and then manage his business in the evening, which most times would carry him late into the evening or even in the wee hours of the next day.
“No matter the challenges, my family is a priority, and that would not change,” he has said.
Asked what he loves most about being a father, he posited, “My children motivate me to get things done… The happiness and joy a family brings is overwhelming. I couldn’t ask for anything more or nothing less; I have all that I need, and seeing the smiles on my children’s faces lights up my world. I love them to the moon and back.”
He intends to have a quiet Father’s Day filled with fun, laughter, and pure love with relatives and his own family.