AFTER Police and Defence Force officers ensured homes were unoccupied bulldozers demolished structures at All Saints shanty town. Photos: Ministry of Works
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
MONTHS after the government destroyed her home in the All Saints Way shanty town, Roselyn, a mother of six, is still struggling to find a place of her own to shelter her family.
The mother and her children, one of whom has special needs, were left homeless in January when their home was razed by demolition crews in the community.
They slept on the ground after the exercise because they had nowhere to go.
She told The Tribune yesterday that she and her family are now sleeping on a single mattress at a friend’s home in the same community.
“I just put some bed on the floor, and all sleep in the bed,” she said, adding that the mattress is too small to accommodate the large family, so some children are forced to sleep on the floor.
She said they also lack the necessities to live comfortably.
“I have no place to bathe,” she said. “No place to use the bathroom. No nothing. I bathe outside. My stuff packed outside. My clothes packed by somebody.”
The family is uncertain about how long they can remain there.
Roseyln said she is still looking for a new home. She said someone gave her $1,200 to find a place; another told her houses were near Cowpen Road.
The mother of six said she is not working, relies on others for help and is looking for a job. She said she is concerned about her future.
The government’s Unregulated Communities Task Force has overseen the demolition of more than 400 structures since the exercises began.
League of Haitian Pastors president Dr Jean Paul Charles told The Tribune that many shanty town residents who sought help from churches have found living accommodations. Others, he said, have left the country.
Government officials have repeatedly said that living accommodations will only be provided to Bahamians displaced by demolition activities.
It is unclear how many residents are still getting rental assistance. Social Services officials could not give this newspaper the latest numbers up to press time yesterday.
Comments
mandela 5 months ago
So sorry her 6 children has to go through this trauma that she brought upon them. Be sure and let those wanting to migrate and stay in the Bahamas illegally that the shanty towns are closed, no more easy hiding, no more room at the Inn.
pablojay 5 months ago
A sad case indeed,but six children and no mention of a father or fathers and typical reporters not even asking the question? Many well paid professionals would be struggling with six children. I sincerely hope she gets some relief in her dire situation.
ExposedU2C 5 months ago
I'm much more sympathetic to the misery poor Bahamian families have been going through for decades now as a result of the failure of successive governments to address our nation's invasion by illegal aliens who propagate at an incredibly high rate to amplify their disastrous impact on the quality of life once enjoyed by Bahamians.
JokeyJack 5 months ago
Six? Six? Six? I cant type no more.
ScubaSteve 5 months ago
How about we make condoms FREE to everyone??? FREE in the grocery stores. FREE in the drug stores. FREE in the high school and middle schools. FREE, FREE, FREE...
ExposedU2C 5 months ago
You don't understand the culturally ingrained issues involved here. They want as many children as possible with the hope that their children will be of help to them later in their senior years. Also, there's a rolling of the dice aspect here. One of their many children might become the next sleasy thug to achieve financial wealth through illegal racketeering activities, much like King Sebas did with the help of corrupt politicians.
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