By Shuntel Glasgow
Another year has arrived and residents who live in dire conditions in Plastic City on the foreshore of Vreed-en-Hoop, West Demerara continue to hope for an escape from their squatters’ existence.
The area where people live surrounded by water and garbage accommodates approximately 100 families. Compared to last year, the area has become even more populated with other families moving in.
A man who sells fruits and vegetables to make ends meet explained how he endured the unhealthy and untidy area for over a decade since there are not many alternatives available to his family. ‘Fruits man’, the only name given, is the father of two children. He explained that despite the circumstances he faces, he is hoping that one day he would be able to own his own home and be comfortable. `Fruits man’ added that despite the fact that some persons migrated from the area over the last year, that didn’t stop newcomers from squatting in the same area. He is currently living in a wooden makeshift house, and hopes to enhance it, but his dreams have been thwarted by the fear of having to leave it behind one day because it is an illegal structure.
Persons from regions Four and Ten would occasionally visit and distribute gifts, hampers and clothing to the children. The vendor added that his happy time would also be when people visit. “We feel like we not alone when people visit the area. Even though me does hustle me lil fruits and so, me does look out too because things hard. Me glad if we can get a house lot to come out ah this place because it nah healthy for we but wah, we gah live because weh we gun go?”
Some government agencies recently donated toys to the children and food items to families within the area, fruits man noted.
A concrete strip is the only path used to access the dilapidated houses and in some cases tents were where people called their home. Stabroek News visited the area on Friday and was guided by `Fruits man’ who explained that they are in dire need of help. The high tides would usually shift some houses while some others remain unaffected, but all must endure flooding until the tide recedes. The area is always under water, the man stated, since they are living close to the sea.
The residents also pointed out that after their household items experienced severe damage from the spring tide, it is now impossible to keep anything of worth within their dwelling.
A young lady who was sitting on her little makeshift veranda and could only shout from where she was to voice her opinion because of the garbage and water that surrounded her. She was at the time cutting up chicken to prepare her daily meal. With a sad face she cried out for help as she sat on the veranda where all her chores are done. It was crowded with tubs, pots, and kitchen utensils. She has been living here for some seven years. “When the water raise you can’t come in here like how you walking, all we want is somebody fuh come and see and help we. The salt water does damage everything, some ah we get solar light.’’
While some are fortunate to be located at the entrance, others are squatting in the swamp, amidst thick clumps of mangroves. There are also other houses deeper in the mangrove that were difficult to reach but still people reside there because as they reasoned, “We have nowhere to go.”
About half way into the area the garbage buildup is like an eye sore since it is difficult to burn the garbage because of the water that surrounds the environment. There are poor washroom facilities and while a few have latrines, some are without. Meanwhile, the mosquitoes are having a festive season and the path is overwhelmed with green moss and bushes littered with food particles.
Christmas season
In a discussion, the people there explained that their aim is just to see another day so they are not overwhelmed with the excitement of celebrations especially Christmas and other significant holidays since they don’t have the facilities to enjoy life.
“We don’t celebrate Christmas, we can’t celebrate Christmas because what is there to be happy about [when] we don’t even have water and light much less something to eat. We got to be looking out for the tide to put up whatever until the water go down. Next day clean up back and back to square one. Them children does go road and see people dress up them house but not them own.”
