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Old People Are People Too

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old chattel houseBarbados Free Press featured the unfortunate situation of a man who was earmarked to have a house rebuilt from funds allocated by government, four years later the old man is still waiting for the house!

In recent years the economic progress of Barbados has been something which Barbadians should feel proud. The former government felt so committed to alleviating poverty that Hamilton Lashley was given charge of a ministry dubbed social transformation. The jury is out on whether any lasting infrastructure was instituted under the stewardship of the charismatic Lashley.

Today BU family Carson Cadogan highlighted another Barbadian pensioner who resides in the St. Michael Central constituency living in abject poverty. In 2008 we continue to see too many instances of our old people living in conditions which exposes our growing selfishness as a people. Can you imagine anyone living in a house as portrayed above? We suppose this pensioner can be consoled by thinking that their house is not the most dilapidated around. According to the information to hand the pensioner has been trying to get help from the UDC for nearly six years. Unfortunately the UDC records have confirmed that this pensioner has already received a new house!

To protect the pensioner from possible victimization we have withheld the name.

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13 responses to “Old People Are People Too”

  1. me Avatar
    me

    Although I am saddened by the sad state of this unfortunate mans home and situation I would dearly love to hear the other two sides to this situation i.e the UDCs side and the TRUTH!

  2. David Avatar
    David

    @me
    While we are waiting on the truth we can maybe all agree that for elders in modern Barbados to have to endure the conditions displayed above is unacceptable. Some may even term it elder abuse.

  3. degap Avatar
    degap

    What is so surprising? There are a lot of houses just like that in my grandmother’s gap inhabited by both old and young.

  4. Tony Hall Avatar
    Tony Hall

    Somebody needs to be prosecuted. Can you imagine how many instances of this type of highway robbery which occurred that have not been found out?

  5. Jukecheckedeyskirt Avatar
    Jukecheckedeyskirt

    This is absolutely the reality that exist in Barbados. The way how Government spending becomes so ‘leaked’ into the hands of ‘draw back’ contractors makes it no surprise that work when supposedly finish, is never done, if done quite shabby, or if completed, done with the cheapest and most inferior of materials.

    Will anyone be ever held accountable and even prosecuted for such crimes…? All I can say is not in Barbados…at least not at this time and not with this current administration because some how I believe they will be doing the same thing as the last corrupt bunch of Political crooks.

  6. Sundowner Avatar
    Sundowner

    This is sad but I’ve seen occupied houses far worse than this, one I pass daily has no side at all! yet a crack addict living in a National Trust chattel house has had the whole house repaired, new roof, everything repainted .

  7. David Avatar
    David

    Remember the substance to this story is the fact that UDC is saying she has a new house according to their records.

  8. JC Avatar
    JC

    David I read you loud and clear blasted criminals.

  9. Yardbroom Avatar
    Yardbroom

    David has posed the question, why do we allow this to continue? In reference to elderly owners of chattle houses which are broken and decrepit, for which repair was promised – often paid for – and not executed.

    Our society – Barbadian – encourages observation rather than participation. It is prudent…but not better to only observe. We are encouraged by subtle gesture not to rock the boat, or as is often said, “cause trouble.”

    So old ladies and men live in broken down chattle houses, with a small coral stone of irregular shape as a front step. Weeds creep menacingly to the shed roof door and prying eyes…observe only.

    We sit or stare passively, as events occur around us which we can change. Alast we are conditioned to do nothing, when there is so much to be done…that we can do.

    So the elderly live in decaying houses, while on the white sands, others frolic on the beaches under a clear blue sky, fully gorged, and the old, backs bent, stumble in the dark…unseen.

    Oh yes! we are developed; can you not see the concrete palaces, or have the gates kept you at bay?

    However, we must allow this new government space to rectify past wrongs.

    Freshly sown seeds must be given moisture, heat and even “time” to germinate.

  10. David Avatar
    David

    Does anyone think we should introduce ‘Elder Abuse’ legislation? We have become very uncaring as a society which is so alien to the traditional Barbadian society. Let us all start doing our little part to bring the love back. Start with your family and close friends.

  11. The scout Avatar
    The scout

    Whether it’s the B’s or D’sin gov’t, whoever got that money should get a long time in jail if found guilty. This level of exploitation has to stop.

  12. JC Avatar
    JC

    Very good legislation David. These people helped build this nation! they deserve better…

  13. Carson C. Cadogan Avatar
    Carson C. Cadogan

    Udate to this story.

    The old lady who lived in this house died last week, without ever getting her house repaired as promised by the UDC.

    A youthful photo of her is in today’s Sunday Sun under the death notices, her name is Coral Yvonne Lorde.

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