Part 91
Stabroek News spoke to members of the public in Westfield, Queenstown, Essequibo Coast, in Region Two about the rising cost of living and how it is affecting them. The following are their comments:
Interviews and photos by Subhana Shiwmangal
Forraine Williams
Forraine Williams, a 48-year-old single mother said: “The cost of living is high so far and it is affecting my family and I because the salary is not increasing but the cost for the items are rising. When school closed, the cash grant I got, I had to use it up to buy things for the children, we could not have waited until school reopens. The cost of living is very high. I provide for my six children. I work as a part-time security guard and also as a part-time government worker to provide for my children. You might buy something this week and when you go back to the shop/supermarket the cost for items increases again. For example, a few months back a pound of chicken cost $480; now a pound of chicken cost $500. The prices fluctuate. A couple months back, a small Fernleaf milk cost $480; now the same pack of milk cost $560/$480 some places. Prices at the supermarket here has risen. I believe the government should provide more jobs for people in this area because most people are self-employed in the area and not always people get money. Sometimes we hustle for two /three days but the money is not nothing much since the items are high.”