CARIMAC Times 2016: The JREAM Edition Journalists Reviving Awareness of what Matters | Page 73

has piped water and electricity. A queen-size
and single bed takes up most of the space in
Moncrieffe’s room. A dark brown chest of
drawers with small scratches on it, two large
plastic clothes baskets, a black standing fan
and a shoe rack occupy the remaining space.
The crowded room is a major problem for
Moncrieffe. She said her wish is to have her
own home so that she is able to provide a safe
living environment for her family. In addition,
she wants to have her own space.
Moncrieffe said sometimes she would like to
relax and have a moment to herself but is unable
to because someone is normally in the room.
Phang’s house is located further in the community,
close to a place called Goldsmith Villa. The view
of the house was slightly blocked by two mango
trees on both sides. A lit garbage heap on the
left side of the house filled the air with smoke.
When CARIMAC Times arrived at the house,
Phang, her best friend, and a cousin were
chatting and eating a meal of steamed fish and
rice. Toys, bottles, slippers and other objects
were scattered on the brown soil in the yard.
The wall of the verandah had tiny blood stains
from dead mosquitoes, dirt, pencil and pen
marks all over. Educational charts with the
alphabet, counting numbers, animals, and
shapes were taped on the left side of the wall.
A baby creeped on the verandah floor that was
covered by red polish.
As with Moncrieffe, Phang lived in one room with
her son. The house had the basic amenities of
water and electricity, along with Internet access.

Nine people live in the fou r-bedroom house.
Phang’s room had a queen-size bed, dresser,
television, a tall three-layered glass stand with
framed pictures of her son, a plastic chair,
clothes baskets, and a standing fan.
Harrison explained further that families from
lower socio-economic stratum normally have
improper accommodation, poor nutrition,
large households, and low educational levels.
“They get by even though they might be in a
depressed community and their dwelling might
not look at a standard where we consider them to
be of good stock. You find that sometimes, more
often than not, they do have basic amenities,”
Harrison said.
Russell Percival Clayton said he is proud resident
of Hermitage. He has been living there for over
50 years and describes himself as one of the
founding residents. The community, he said,
used to be a wonderful place to live and raise
a family, but politics created a divide among
the residents, which increased the occurrence
of crime and violence.
Clayton told CARIMAC Times that the community
lacks social facilities that can provide cocurricular activities and impart positive values
and attitudes.
“There used to be a park where people hang
out and relax, but Hurricane Gilbert came and
destroyed it. After the hurricane no one fixed
the park, so people build house and shop on
the land.”
He explained that the late sociologist Professor
Alston “Barry” Chevannes of the UWI, established

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