Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Perth village, Mahaicony, East Coast Demerara about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Devon Thomas, a 62-year-old missionary said: “I think the thing that is affecting Guyana is the valuation of the dollar. I’m living alone and the cost of living is not affecting me much because there is the home garden and so forth, I can eat from. When you have your produce, you can buy less. The cost of living is an economic crisis, it is something that affects everyone around the world. When you look at the economic crisis around the world, in America the dollar continues to depreciate and when this happens, people kind of lose trust in the dollar. Also, that’s why sometimes people leave Guyana and go to other countries. They don’t trust the dollar anymore because the value is reducing and while the dollar is going down, the cost-of-living raises. Now, what people doing is when they receive their salary, instead of leaving it in the bank, they withdraw it and buy items for the home because when the money is left in the bank, the money depreciates because the bank takes out interest versus the money spent presently on the high cost of living. For example, a bag of Bakewell bread cost $200 a couple months back; now the same bread cost $240. Also, a few months ago, the cost for a big tin of Carnation milk was $500; now the same milk cost $700. The government need to spend less money on roads’ development and focus more on the people in order to subsidize on food items to help the people with the rising cost of living.
Evelyn Richmond
Evelyn Richmond, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is affecting me because I have to buy cooking gas and food items for the home every month.
Also, I’ve found that my monthly grocery doesn’t last me through the month but the cost for all food items has increased in the markets. For example, a few months ago a big pack of Natura milk cost $600; now a pack of Natura milk cost about $700 and something. And, a few months ago, the cost for a small pack of Thunderbolt All-Purpose flour cost about $200/$300 and something; now the same pack of flour cost $400 and something. Truly speaking, I thought in this year’s budget, the government would have given pensioners a total of $40,000 for pension. I think the government should consider raising the monthly pension more.”
Glynis Burnette
Glynis Burnette said: “The cost of living is high especially when purchasing grocery items and then there is no kind of salary increases. I’m a family of five, including my husband and three children. My husband and I are working but my husband doesn’t get construction work often. For example, a pound of chicken a few months ago cost $360; now a pound of chicken cost $500/ $540. Also, a 4-pound pack of sugar a few months ago cost $600; now I’m paying close to $1,000 for the same pack of sugar. I think the government can either raise public servants’ salary or consider reducing the cost for food items. “
Natasha Kendall
Natasha Kendall, a 32-year-old housewife said: “The cost of living is affecting me a lot since the money my husband works for is not enough to purchase food items for the home and the cost for all food items has increased in the markets. We have four kids together and we try every day to cope with the cost of living. For example, a pound of chicken a few months ago cost $360; now a pound of chicken cost $500/$540. A small Natura milk that cost less a few months ago; now cost $500 for the same pack. I think the government should consider increasing people’s salary more to help with the rising cost of living.”
Danley Richmond
Danley Richmond, a pensioner said: “When you called for two items from the market, the money I have sometimes can’t do to buy the items. The cost for most food items has increased in the market. I’m a family of four and both my wife and I collect our pension to maintain our family for the month. My wife works also. For example, a pound of garlic a few months ago cost $200; now a pound of garlic cost $300/$400. Also, a pound of onions a few months ago cost $100; now a pound of onions cost $200. The government should increase the monthly pension and public servants’ salary more to assist people with the rising cost of living.”
Wyntte Halley
Wyntte Halley said: “I sell fast food to provide for myself and three children. The cost of living is high and sometimes I would try my best to tailor my price to suit the customers. I don’t make a lot of profit but I try to cope with whatever profit I make. For example, a few months ago a pint of channa cost $260; now a pint of channa cost $400/$300. A 5-gallon bottle of oil a couple months ago cost $9,000; now the same bottle of oil cost $13,000. I think the government should consider providing more jobs within the Mahaicony community since I have a daughter that sat the CXC examination and she is still searching for a job.”
Beverly Sealey
Beverly Sealey, a 64-year-old gospel minister said: “The money that I save is not sufficient enough to buy grocery items and pay my utility bill. I receive a stipend from working within the church ministry in which I used to pay my bills. I also make pastry and sell just to provide for my family and I. By God’s grace, I’m still surviving. I receive food items from the church as well to cope with the cost of living. The cost of living is indeed high. I’m a family of six. For instance, a 4-pound pack of flour cost about $300 and something; now the same pack of flour cost $600 and something. Also, a pound of sugar before cost $100/150; now a pound of sugar cost $270. I believe we have to plant vegetables or seasoning more, like celery to carry down the cost we purchase for seasoning/vegetables in the markets. Also, the government should consider providing better wages/ salary to people, increase people’s pension more and provide more monetary contribution to people or hampers.”
Angela Sealey
Angela Sealey, a pensioner said: “The cost of living is hard on me. I have a shop where my family and I would usually sell items to cope with the cost of living. I’m a family of four. I have noticed that the cost for onions, garlic and other items have risen in the market. For example, a couple months ago, a 1.5-litre bottle of oil cost $500; now the same bottle of oil cost $800. And, before a pound of garlic and onions cost $100; now a pound of garlic and onions cost $400 and $360 respectively. The government should provide more financial support to its people.”
Angela Mingo
Angela Mingo, a 49-year-old security guard said: “Every day I go to the shop the cost for some items always rising. I can’t do anything about it, I just have to buy it. I’m a family of four, including children and brother. Only my brother and I work in the home. I have noticed the cost for rice has increased. Before, a small Karibee rice cost $2,000; now the same pack of Karibee rice cost $2,500. Even the cost for a pound of chicken has increased. A pound of chicken before cost $300; now a pound of chicken cost $480. Even the cost for salt has increased in the market. The government should consider reducing the cost for food items in the market to help people with the cost of living. Also, the government should consider reducing the pension age to 50-55 because most people don’t live to reach 65 years old.
Lynette Burnette
Lynette Burnette, a 58-year-old unemployed single parent said: “The taxi fare to travel ¾ miles in Mahaicony has increased to $1000 to $500. In addition, I don’t have a job and the cost for food items at the shop has increased. Then I have to find money to pay the utility bill, only the grace of God keeping me.
I’m a family of two including my daughter who is searching for a job. I’m trusting that things will change. Every day I go to the market, the cost for something has increase. For example, a bag of rice cost $1,200 before; now a bag of rice cost $2,000/$3,000 depends on where you buy it from. I used to buy three boulanger for $200; now I’m buying the same three boulanger for $300. Even the cost for bora has increased. The government should create more jobs in the Mahaicony community and not to be one sided. The roads need street light and the drivers’ taxi fare are high to come in here.”
Deon Richmond
Deon Richmond, a 36-year-old hairstylist said: “The cost of living is hard for my family and I when paying the utility bill and buying food items. Before I could have bought a lot of items for $1,000 compare to now. I’m a family of five including my child. I braid hair for a living and my parents who lives with me receive pension. I can say that all food items have increased in the market. For example, a pound of milk cost 160/$200/$260 before; now a pound of milk cost $740. The cost of milk keeps increasing every day. Also, a pound of sugar before cost $100; now a pound sugar cost $200 and something. I think the government should introduce food stamps for people who are not working.”
