Some social ills have plagued human existence since the beginning of time. And while we are all acutely aware that these menacing issues exist, some of us often turn a blind eye to them.
Poverty is one such uncomfortable topic that many often shun.
It is no secret that many among us have been struggling to make ends meet. This has always been the case. However, the COVID-19 pandemic compounded this reality.
From the looks of it, Bajans have begun to take full advantage of the mega shopping spree given that this is the first full celebration of Christmas since 2019. While many of us can be spotted in the busy streets of Bridgetown shopping and engaging in the hustle and bustle of the season, others simply cannot.
We have families who will not benefit from a table laden with a fare of food and goodies. There are children who will awake Christmas morning and go to sleep Christmas night and not receive a single present.
Earlier this year, Chief Welfare Officer Deborah Norville said there had been a significant increase in requests from less fortunate families for assistance.
“We are very much inundated with requests from the public. Our complement of staff has remained the same whereas the applicants have tripled and, in some cases, quadrupled. Our records are showing over 13 000 calls a month,” she reported
And just last week, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey confirmed that there had been an increase in the number of people seeking assistance and the Welfare Department was seeing a number of people who have not traditionally sought its help.
“Over the last two years since COVID started, the numbers in the Welfare Department had almost doubled. So, we went from 3 600 or so persons to just over 6 000 persons,” he said.
The Salvation Army is also reporting a significant increase in vulnerable persons seeking food, clothing and even shelter as they struggle to cope with the rising cost of living.
Divisional Business Manager Major Sherma Evelyn said in recent months, the Salvation Army had seen an influx of persons tapping into all the services offered at the Reed Street, St Michael headquarters of the charitable organisation.
The Salvation Army now has to turn away newcomers seeking shelter at its men’s hostel because the facility has reached its full capacity of 20 persons.
Evelyn said some people seeking assistance are struggling to make ends meet because they have been laid off or are only working two to three days per week.
“This time last year, we had fed over 13 000 persons and right now we are at 14 903 persons. So, that would tell you the kind of impact it is having on society. We are also seeing for our pantry programme, an increase again from 2 000 to 3 160 persons and they come monthly for us to assist them,” Evelyn said.
On the bright side, the Salvation Army has raised half of its $750 000 Christmas Appeal target so far. Evelyn said while it is thankful for the donations from businesses and kind-hearted Barbadians, it must reach its target in order to respond to the demands for assistance.
We are aware that the problem is not unique to Barbados.
In October 2021, Director of the Caribbean Anti-Human Trafficking Foundation Dr Olivia Smith declared that in the midst of a massive national vaccine drive to curb the spread of COVID-19, scores of women, some with babies and small children, were starving.
Here in Barbados, whenever there is an act of gun violence committed we often hear people attribute it to a lack of employment. Some argue that the bad element is forced into a life of crime out of necessity since they grow up in poverty-stricken homes. We seem to only remember the poverty plague when it suits our narrative.
Unfortunately, those living below the poverty line, those living with no electricity, those living with no running water, those living with roofs exposed to the elements, those whose cupboards are bare or almost there, do not have the luxury of convenient memory. For them, thinking about poverty and the consequences of living in poverty is a stark daily reality.
We hope that as some of us privileged ones make our way about this Christmas, a thought is given to those in need. When we see the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle we should be moved to put something in. This is the season of giving and give we must.
