Dear Editor,
Another one bites the dust. Too many people are being rendered homeless due to unquenched fires. What other scourge could befall a human but a fire on December 24th, the day before Christmas? This is the plight of Marlon Abrahams of Section A Sophia. Editor, it is said that fire is a good servant but bad master. If you ever experience a fire that guts your home you’d know this old soul’s plight. I experienced this phenomenon in 2022 when the Regent Guest House was burned to the ground. But is one thing to loose every material possession by any means but worse is the immediate effect of homelessness.
Editor anyone over 65 that loses a home is plunged into immediate despair. Who is going for mortgage or hire purchase at that age? And what about the transition? I found a ‘Night Shelter’ operated by the government that was more traumatic that supportive. I opted out of there forthwith. The Fire Service issues letters to go to agencies to assist with clothing and perhaps food. But fire victims cannot sleep in those. Where is the government on Half-way Housing or Transitional Housing? I was stranded in Atlanta and found an agency that provided accommodation in an Extended Stay Hotel for me and anyone in like situation and I’m not an American.
I am a human covered under the International Human Rights Convention. In Barbados there are units reserved in government National Housing Schemes for fire victims. Assigned to the victims for temporary occupation. What I see is D’Urban Park beside the 1763 Monument turn into a Squatter’s Paradise. Editor, Guyana has to do better for her elders. Marlon is reduced to the life of a pauper. Sojourning on Regent Street. The evening population of Regent Street is exploding. There has to be a sense of urgency for our elders.
Sincerely,
Kim Medford
