Friendly Eugene Richardson began to be taught by Jehovah at the age of 15. Even though he had no formal Bible study, he made steady progress by attending all the meetings and was baptized at the age of 17. In 1956 he was appointed as a regular pioneer and was confronted by what he regarded as a major problem​—lack of transportation. He says: “My assigned territory was 15 miles [20 km] from home, so to solve the problem of transportation, I traded my piano for a bicycle. My family was horrified at this deal, and 40 years later they still talk about it. However, for me it proved to be very practical. Especially since four months after that, I was appointed to serve as a special pioneer in the unassigned territory of Banda Abao.”

Opening Up New Territory

The countryside of Banda Abao, locally known as the kunuku, is situated on the western side of Curaçao and covers almost half the island. It consists of gently rolling land and is somewhat greener than the rest of the island. Scattered houses dot the landscape, so working this territory requires a great deal of time. Clinton Williams, another young, zealous pioneer, joined Eugene, and together they embarked on opening up this new frontier. Eugene remembers: “This was not an easy territory, compared with the rest of the island. The people were very friendly and really nice to talk to, but usually that was as far as it went. However, we worked there for two years and had wonderful experiences. In the first month, I met a man who said that if we could prove that God’s Kingdom had been established in 1914, he would become a Witness. And a Witness he did become, along with his wife and children. Later on, I talked with a woman who said that her nephew was very interested in the Bible. That same evening I returned and witnessed to him. His name was Ciro Heide.”

[Picture on page 85]

Top: Eugene Richardson, baptized at 17, served as a zealous pioneer

[Picture on page 85]

Bottom: Young Clinton Williams joined him in opening up the “kunuku”