Dear Editor,
I wish to bring this subject matter to your attention, and that of your readers, as I believe that it is vital for the voices of the ghetto neighbourhoods to be heard. As we listen to government and leaders speak and give speeches about our country’s economic development, growth and transformation, we tend to be moved and persuaded by their convincing speeches of their vision and outlook for our country.
However, to truly measure our country’s growth, one cannot simply use the people at the mid-range to top communities and groups, one must consider the people at the very bottom as well. When these people, in the ghetto, that is, are transformed, then we can say that we are moving forward.
Has anyone ever sought to examine the lives that these people are living and the struggles that they are faced with daily? Most of these areas that are deemed ‘ghetto’ or ‘hood’ are impoverished and the youths and families are in dire need of help.
May I ask, how often has any government official visited these places to hear the concerns of the residents? It appears as if these people are locked away from the wider society and watch as the other places around them, and surrounding villages, develop while they grapple with their daily situations for survival.
These are people often not talked about, or involved in programmes, for their benefits and improvements to secure a better life. Moreover, society and the public have stigmatized these ghetto neighbourhoods over the years resulting in them being far behind from living changed lives and livelihood.
Many of the residents and families in these so called ‘ghetto’ neighbourhoods are in desperate need of job opportunities and trainings so that they can meet the needs of their families and those within their care. Much of such communities lie in deplorable and ruinous states with no facility to engage the young people whose future lie in squander.
These people barely have a voice as many of them are prone to victimization due to where they live, and the history associated with their place of living.
Many are perceived to be thieves, drug addicts, school drop-outs, vagabonds and vagrants. While, they are usually labelled for high rate of criminal and gang related activities, it must not be ignored that there are also innocent people living in these areas. Further, if support is given to such communities, I am optimistic that the pattern, lifestyle and culture of these places can be reshaped and be different.
Likewise, I agree that there exist many opportunities for those in need of help and that people ought to seek out these possibilities but there are times when we have to reach out to those most vulnerable so that we can have all included in Guyana’s blooming and advancing prosperity. Hence, prosperity and economic advancement should not be something for just some parts of society or specific groups of people.
Therefore, I implore the ministries of government and NGOs to take a look into the ghetto communities across Guyana and just allow yourself to be placed in their shoes and feel their struggles if you can, and then consider if you can live their lives. Again, with the same passion, I beseech you to turn your attention to the ghetto communities which are reposed in derelict.
Sincerely,
Imran Bacchus
