Dear Editor,
As discussions about democracy and governance dominate the national conversation, we must not forget the far deeper crisis that many Guyanese face on a daily basis: abject poverty. While debates about political factions, democratic ideals, and governance are important, these issues become secondary when people are struggling to meet their most basic needs. A fractured democracy is a serious concern, no doubt. But for those living in poverty, democracy—no matter how broken or thriving—means little if they cannot afford to feed their families, access healthcare, or secure a safe place to sleep at night. When you wake up each day uncertain whether you will have enough food or money to survive, the broader debates on democratic ideals feel distant and abstract.
According to global statistics, about 9.2% of the world’s population lives in extreme poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 per day. Guyana, despite being rich in natural resources, has not escaped this grim reality. In fact, approximately 35% of the Guyanese population lives on less than $5.50 per day, a broader measure of poverty, with a significant proportion of these individuals earning below $2 per day. This places many Guyanese families in desperate situations, where access to adequate food, healthcare, and education becomes nearly impossible.
Government programs like cash grants, free housing lots, and vouchers for building materials such as concrete and steel may provide temporary relief. But these are mere band-aid solutions when compared to the deeper, structural challenges of malnutrition and undernutrition, particularly among children under five years old. Studies have shown that malnutrition in early childhood can permanently stunt brain development, hindering cognitive growth and the ability to thrive later in life.
For these children, the effects of poverty go far beyond hunger. Inadequate nutrition compromises their ability to grow into healthy, intelligent adults who can take on skilled jobs and contribute meaningfully to the workforce. A child who is malnourished today will struggle tomorrow to break free from the cycle of poverty, no matter how many house lots or vouchers are distributed. Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive focus on long-term solutions like improving access to quality nutrition, healthcare, and early childhood education.
Poverty robs people of their dignity and their capacity to engage meaningfully in the political process. How can a person be expected to care about voting or political alliances when they lack electricity, clean water, or even access to education for their children? For those living in marginalized communities across Guyana, survival is the priority, not democracy.
Government policies, programs, and aid packages aimed at building democratic resilience should not be our only focus. We need to invest deeply in alleviating the crippling poverty that holds so many of our citizens back. Economic inequality, lack of access to essential services, and the daily struggle to live with dignity are the real barriers to national progress, not just political divisions. If we truly want to strengthen our nation, we need to uplift those at the bottom of the socio-economic ladder. Only then can democracy flourish, because a well-fed, healthy, and educated population will have the energy and opportunity to fully engage in the democratic process.
Let’s focus on the most immediate concern—the poverty that is stripping away the future of so many Guyanese—and recognize that democracy without the alleviation of suffering is incomplete.
Sincerely,
Keith Bernard