Interviews by Candace Phillips and photos by Alva Solomon
Annie Seenarine – housewife
`I’m now doing the last set of shopping for the fine items like stationery and shoes. It was easy getting all items for school since the prices were reasonable. I have four children who go to school but the vouchers have helped me greatly with getting uniforms for them. I received $1500 for each one and this was a great ease to me. The only problem I have is the brand name items such as Hannah Montana which my children like which is more expensive. Other than that I have gotten everything else.’
Sindy Hunt – housewife
‘I have three children who attend secondary school and I’m finding it very difficult because of the prices and because I am a single parent. Since 2005 I have been taking care of my children on my own since I do not receive any help from their father. So I have to walk so that I can find prices which will suit my pocket; I have to do lots of walking to find the right prices. While I did receive the voucher from the Ministry, it can’t buy everything but at least it assisted. Time is catching up with me since this is the last week of shopping so I have to try to get some bargains on the items I still have to buy.’
Vadematie Roopchand – housewife
‘I find this shopping so harassing because I have to do much searching. However I have managed to buy the majority of items needed for school. Now all that is left are the smaller items which I am buying using the voucher which I got from the school. The voucher is a good thing by the government although it is small; one can still get something out of it. The prices are reasonable so it makes it easier to pick up the necessary stuff for my two kids. I will finish my last minute shopping today.’
Margaret Aguilar – housewife
‘I have two children who attend school now and today is my only chance to travel to Georgetown from Timehri to do my back-to-school shopping. I have been searching all over for school clothes but been having little luck. I received a voucher valued $1500 but the school pants costs $2,500 but at least it’s helping to take some of the pressure off parents. So I will spend the day looking for items that I need to buy.’
Bibi Singh- self employed
‘So far the shopping for school items has been good since I have been able to find everything. So we have been looking and finding stuff but it’s just the style is the problem. While I was in Vreed-en-Hoop recently I also used the opportunity to look for supplies over there but I did not get anything. The school my daughter is going to has a dress code so I have to spend much time looking for appropriate stuff. While I haven’t received a voucher I think that it has been very helpful to persons who cannot afford to buy some of the necessary school supplies.’
Deomattie Goorrucharan- shop-keeper
‘I started buying what I needed for my child to go to school before now. Today I am looking for boots and shirts. Everything can be found though it’s only left to decide what to buy. I did not take the voucher since I did not need it so I left it for someone who really needs it. However it is a good thing since it can help many children to be equipped for school. The prices for items are good; there is nothing that is really expensive so far. I spent most of my time walking the whole of Regent Street looking for stuff which I intend to get today.’
Maureen Bradford -housewife
‘The only thing left for me to buy is a pair of school shoes. Earlier in the month, I bought the other stuff I needed. The voucher is a great help since I was able to get the uniform and socks from it- so it has been a great help. When school reopens I will have to buy textbooks that will be expensive since the school would not have all the books needed.’
Sandro Sukhdeo- housewife
‘I’m trying to find places where I can get a good bargain since I have two children at school. The hardest item to get is school uniforms. I checked several stores and they no longer have uniform material so I have to keep looking. I am from Berbice but I have travelled to the city to get cheaper items since it is expensive up there. I will continue to walk and search until I find what I’m looking for.’
Kamini Singh- housewife
‘I have three children in school- two at secondary and one at primary. I have gotten them everything they need except for footwear which was the last thing on my list. In fact this is the finishing touch to my shopping. The voucher can really help persons to buy the stuff they need. I have managed to have no problems in getting school supplies because I know where to shop. Price is not a problem since a lot of the items are reasonably priced only if you want brand name stuff then you would have to pay more. It makes a lot of sense to buy the brand stuff since they last longer and you don’t have to replace them as often.’
Berkley Simon- surveyor
‘This is the only opportunity I will get to shop for my son who attends nursery school. His mother does most of it but I also help out. I see it as an opportunity to play my part in being a good parent. It is really difficult travelling from St. Cuthbert’s Mission to the city but it’s a sacrifice which has to be made. My problem right now is finding the right size of clothing for him although I have checked most of the stores. The voucher has been very useful since it has helped in easing the expense of parents in buying clothing and school supplies. I started my shopping two months ago so today is my last bit. I will spend the rest of the day checking the stores to get the other items I need to pick up.’
