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The burden of living in Guyana
Dear Editor,
I have lived (and could live) overseas. And maybe one day, when I am again totally fed up, I will pack my traps and flee with my family to a ‘better place’. Maybe when I can take no more of the struggles of a permanent life in Guyana, I will, again, take my leave from this hellhole/banana republic. However, while I am here, I have deliberately submerged myself into the Guyanese context.
I ride a motorcycle. I bathe with a bucket (because the water pressure is low where I live). Before I catch the mini-bus, I change my $100’s into $20’s because if you pay with your $100, you never get back your correct change and you could be assaulted if you ask for it.
I take all the necessary prevention because of the chronic crime problem. I have to listen for the garbage truck in the wee hours of the morning, to take out my garbage because if I leave my garbage bin outside, the street people dump out my garbage and steal them (I have lost two in 6 months).
As part of my patriotic contribution, I write letters to the newspaper. I speak publically on pressing issues. I have a TV program, addressing relevant issues. I offer to assist administratively in the political arena and the religious/spiritual sphere. Let me tell you; it is a real struggle living in and with the realities of Guyana. A visit ever so often – like I used to do – is NOT sufficient to say you know what living in Guyana is like.
The crime, the wanton “crookisness” of our leaders, the blackouts, the educational dearth, the lack of customer service, the reckless driving, the administrative backwardness, the bribery, the vagrancy, the lack of proper medical care, the poverty level, the political “bullyism,” the fear of political reprisals, the insufficient salary scale, et al. make for a very untenable living situation. To be subject to most all of those realities day-in and day-out is very taxing.
And then when we rise up, or attempt to raise up, (depending on who you raise up against; PPP have their cronies and the PNC-Coalition now have theirs). We hear from the (foreigner/runaway) folks, that we are too hasty, that we are too impatient, that we are greedy, that we are ungrateful, that we are cursed, that we are freeloaders and non-progressive, that we possess a slavery and indentured-servant mentality, and that we are destined to self-destruct.
I think that you foreigners/runaways are trying to get bricks out of straws. You talk of the barrels, crates, boxes and moneys you send back. Believe me when I say, TO HELL with all of that. COME BACK HOME! Reverse the curse of the brain drain you are a part of. Bring your brains and your energies! Bring your wisdom and expertise. Bring your wealth and your families. Return with your knowledge and transparency. Come let’s ALL put our shoulders to the wheel.
Guyana is in the mess it is in because for many, many years, the blind has been leading the blind. They say; “one eye man is king in blind man country.” That is the reality of Guyana. We do not have sufficient mental capacity to undo the years of misdeeds by our leaders. The mere thought of what it will take to get us where we need to be, overwhelms and frustrates us.
So rather than spit your sympatric rhetoric from the comforts of your foreign-abode, or instead of lecturing us on the ground, while you hold your return ticket, safely nestled in your foreign passport, why not come live the Guyanese-life. Why not relocate and show, by example, how well we should live; that you profess to know so well how to live? Until then, give us a ‘lil’ break, please! We have our plates full.
Pastor Wendell P. Jeffrey
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