Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Colwin Trevor, a 31-year-old grocery vendor said: “The cost of living is not only affecting me but everyone across the country because every day the price for items in the market going up. The salary is not going up and when I’m purchasing items to sell back to my customer, the items are expensive. For instance, a few months ago I used to buy $1,200 for a case of Blue water (24 by 500ml); now I’m buying the same size of water but a different brand that cost the same price as the blue water for $1,400. Even onions expensive, I’m selling a pound of onions for $260 now; a few months ago I used to sell a pound of onions for $160. Also, building material all gone up. The cost for wood is expensive. I’m trying to save money to construct a good grocery stand for a while now but because of the high price building materials are sold for in the market, I had to put it on hold. The cost for a BM of wood is $200 and something; a few months back the cost was $140. I really would like the government to help us in reducing the cost for items sold in the market and to assist me with some building materials to complete the building of my grocery stall. Also, I really would like the government to visit the East La Penitence and help with the development, especially on the dam.”