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Monday, December 13, 2010

Tales of Extreme Rural Misery in Choiseul

The sight of shirtless men breaking huge boulders with sledge hammers in the hot midday sun in search of living is reminiscent of 17th century slavery; the sight of young kids roaming around the countryside naked; not because they want to do so, but because their parents can’t afford to clothe them is heart-wrenching. The sight of heavy equipment rusting away at a proposed site for a housing scheme in Balembouche when the people of Franciou have no or limited road access to their homes because they are told there is no equipment available  to assist them, is outright mischief. These are some of the tales of misery that appear like graffiti on the beautiful landscape of Choiseul/Saltibus.

It was Sunday afternoon at about 1 PM when the Lorne Campaign team was continuing it’s constituency tours that those issues steamed up to the surface of reality with great buoyancy. The first encounter was with a legless disabled man who lives on the Ravineau/Esperance Hill overlooking the Ravineau River. He pleaded for motorable “road” leading to his home to facilitate his transportation to from his home via wheelchair. It was heart-wrenching to hear the stories of vehicles dumping him down at the foot of the hill in sun and rain and how it was left to him to grovel on his hands and buttocks 100 yards up the hill to his home. He literally begged for a better road surface to facilitate better negotiation of his wheelchair up the hilly slope to his home.

The second encounter was with two abled bodied men making charcoal and gathering boulders by the “roadside” in pursuit of their daily bread. What once used to be a decent road connecting Derriere Morne to Delcer has now turned into genuine gully which users have to trek day and night without street lamps.  But back to the two able-bodied men who gathered and sledge-hammered stones for sale. They told a story of misery and desperation. They fetched and gathered granite boulders for which there was a market but which they could not sell. Why? No truck could negotiate that hill where they were gathered.

The third was a visit to the remote community of Park Estate and Guyabois. That community is a veritable development “black hole”. To get there is a challenge; depending on your degree of care and driving skill, the journey may take you an hour. Just past the Tete Morne entrance into Park Estate and Guyabois, there’s a fleet of heavy equipment carrying out massive excavation works on an alleged housing scheme which I suspect is an election gimmick. But three points are noteworthy.

Firstly, the designated site consists of prime agricultural land - similar in quality to what is found in Union. The FIFA Goal project at Union was reversed on the ground that we could not use such prime agricultural land for sporting purposes; however, in the land of the blind, we can construct a monstrous housing scheme in Balembouche. Secondly, the project is apparently carried out without a transparent cost-benefit analysis, an Environmental Impact Assessment and Social Impact Assessment. Further, there has never been any consultation with the community about the project. And thirdly, who will be the beneficiaries of that housing scheme? Will it be the poor people of Park Estate and Guyabois who desperately need it?

According to the Country Poverty Assessment, the people of Park Estate are among the poorest in St. Lucia. This is not just a statistic; it is the truth. The evidence of indigence is everywhere to be seen and it is made worse by insulation and isolation of this community from mainstream society. Poor physical, communication or social infrastructure is understandably also another major highlight of that community.

As we celebrate National Day, let us reflect on the subhuman conditions that these extremely poor people dwell in; and let’s try and help them. Where are the social safety nets? Where is SSDF? Where is the Government of St. Lucia? Where is the district Rep? Let us help these extremely poor people in whatever way we can. Let us try and uplift them from extreme poverty, poor road infrastructure, poor social infrastructure, poor everything! Let us try to bring them closer to a normal life with at least the installation of basic amenities with social and economic support.

How can I wish you a Happy National Day amidst that daily squalor that these people live in?

15 comments:

  1. Excellent expose, Boss! That's the sort of analysis we need: humanitarian, deep and touching. We don't expect that from the camp of the criminal. Doc, I note you have added menus to your blog! Choiseul is going places! Feel real proud. by the way, did you read what the nin-com-POOP (Gilo) wrote on his blog today?

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  2. The King! You have made it. Your article is worth reading. Well-organised and well put together. I like the photographs; you didn't need to write. The pictures told the story. The only thing, the pictures are in reverse.

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  3. The nincomPOOP is going mad. They say those whom the Gods wish to destroy fist make mad. NincomPoop Peepin' already pooping on him. Dlo kaka ka pwan li!

    Anonymous Secretary

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  4. what was my people thinking of, when they elected that goverment ,how long will they live in misery i get so angry hearing about these thing,but be strong my people God is good one day

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  5. I discovered this blog only recently and must congratulate the author for allowing us to post our comments. I realise that my friend, Gilo at the other end moderates everything. The one thing that comes to mind is that one can never get an accurate reflection of Choiseulians comments on that blog - Choiseul on the move. It seems like it is designed to make Rufus look good. If so then call it "Rufus on the move". It is deceiving to title a blog Choiseul on the move and not allow us CHOISEULIANS to give feedback that can be constructive.
    One thing though powerhouse I think you all should lighten on the bowel-movement issue that Gilo has. I can't say that he brought it on himself (although we all know of his habitual overindulgence in alcohol) and living in a small country as ours I mean the man faces severe embarrassment already with that issue. I think we should understand his situation and not turn up our nose or run away like some others ,even his colleagues, resort to. That can send him back to alcoholism once again.
    BTW I really think that you asked some key questions about the Mini stadium and I do hope some answers come out. I wonder why Timothy Poleon and the rest of the St. Lucian media haven't asked some questions here.

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  6. I too read the blog by Gilo, and whilst he says it is to mark the successes of the district rep, he drew first blood in an article which accused Lorne and his campaign team of entering houses posing as UWP operatives. How dumb does Gilo think we are? Everyone and their grandmother know that Lorne is the Labour candidate, and the strong support that accompany him. Gilo, toof. The techniques of deceit that worked in the past cant work again. Rufus needs new blood in his campaign or is it that he is comfortable with those that are like him or who he can control like dogs on a leash. Gilo is an idiot and a mess even without his bowel problems.

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  7. I want to urge all Choiseulians to give Lorne a chance to represent us. We know his family and can link him to Choiseul. Can we do this for Bousquet. When Bousquet was out of office did he do anything for Choiseul? he did nothing whilst Lorne personally and his family have helped the people of Choiseul for decades and not for political gain, as even now they say nothing about it. I see Lorne's family around him, where are Bousquet's wife and family. I see Lorne talking to his cousin Jackie who for the love of money is Rufus's poodle and who he must know will not support him,whilst Bousquet will never speak to a non supporter. Lorne is a class act whilst Bousquet is just an act. Be smart people, vote Lorne.

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  8. Finally a villager speaks out. Great! Well let me tell you something man. De man still always drunk. Still, I won't waste my time on Gilo; after all who can Gilo influence but himself and he still needs help from Crystal white & Strong in doing that.
    My concern is more with Rufus or whatever name you choose to call him.
    Rufus or Batman
    Act 1."Foreign Affairs Minister Rufus Bousquet has been fired from the Sir John Compton-led Cabinet"
    Act 2. Whilst St Lucians deal with Hurricane Dean the Star gives this "The Bruce Duane Tucker mystery is no more, all thanks to MP Rufus Bousquet, who came out of the closet yesterday morning and declared himself the central figure in Rick Wayne’s latest exposé."
    Act 3. "Rufus Bousquet,son of JMD and his Super 8 Mendicants-was alleged to have triggered the first heart attack suffered by Sir John during a Cabinet revolt, ostensibly led by the then Foreign Minister and leader of the famous or infamous Super 8".
    Of course we all know who and Compton eventually "died?".
    Act 4. "Rufus Bousquet slammed the 2008 budget – describing it as a karaoke budget, financial adventurism and one that showed little social conscience."
    Of course we all know that today he is the lead-vocalist in this unmelodious choir.
    Act 5.The St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority has confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister, Rufus Bousquet, was removed from an American Airlines flight and searched on the tarmac of the Hewanorra International Airport by security for refusing to follow airline protocols and proceeding to board the plane.
    Act 6. Baywalk Extravagance$$$$$$$$$$$.
    Act 7. Tucker Bousquet assaults our very own choiseulian mechanic(cockshow).

    What Act he bringing for Christmas? Maybe his wife and children. Then again what name will we call them. Maybe Bat-girl-the wife and Robin if its a boy. If its a girl then maybe Bat-girls. lol. Not my fault I just keep getting confused with that comic book character.
    I ain't getting fool next election. Jimmy can go back an scheme people into buying cars where he come from - not this time.

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  9. Finally a villager speaks out. Great! Well let me tell you something man. De man still always drunk. Still, I won't waste my time on Gilo; after all who can Gilo influence but himself and he still needs help from Crystal white & Strong in doing that.
    My concern is more with Rufus or whatever name you choose to call him.
    Rufus or Batman
    Act 1."Foreign Affairs Minister Rufus Bousquet has been fired from the Sir John Compton-led Cabinet"
    Act 2. Whilst St Lucians deal with Hurricane Dean the Star gives this "The Bruce Duane Tucker mystery is no more, all thanks to MP Rufus Bousquet, who came out of the closet yesterday morning and declared himself the central figure in Rick Wayne’s latest exposé."
    Act 3. "Rufus Bousquet,son of JMD and his Super 8 Mendicants-was alleged to have triggered the first heart attack suffered by Sir John during a Cabinet revolt, ostensibly led by the then Foreign Minister and leader of the famous or infamous Super 8".
    Of course we all know who and Compton eventually "died?".
    Act 4. "Rufus Bousquet slammed the 2008 budget – describing it as a karaoke budget, financial adventurism and one that showed little social conscience."
    Of course we all know that today he is the lead-vocalist in this unmelodious choir.
    Act 5.The St Lucia Air and Sea Ports Authority has confirmed that Foreign Affairs Minister, Rufus Bousquet, was removed from an American Airlines flight and searched on the tarmac of the Hewanorra International Airport by security for refusing to follow airline protocols and proceeding to board the plane.
    Act 6. Baywalk Extravagance$$$$$$$$$$$.
    Act 7. Tucker Bousquet assaults our very own choiseulian mechanic(cockshow).

    What Act he bringing for Christmas? Maybe his wife and children. Then again what name will we call them. Maybe Bat-girl-the wife and Robin if its a boy. If its a girl then maybe Bat-girls. lol. Not my fault I just keep getting confused with that comic book character.
    I ain't getting fool next election. Jimmy can go back an scheme people into buying cars where he come from - not this time.

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  10. Did someone say that Bruce Tucker needs new blood in his campaign? Is it new blood for him personally or new blood for de fellahs around him. I agree that "Nin Com Poo-poops" need a blood transfusion to replace his alcohol-poisoned blood. That will help solve his Bowel problem. No more embarrassment for Tucker. He may even get back his job.

    Tucker himself needs an urgent blood transfusion to drain out all his infected blood and also his criminal blood. He looks good, DAMN GOOD! on the outside, but on the inside de man is rotten to the core and even already smelling!

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  11. Dear Cyberboss

    Thank you for your recent article about the poverty in rural Choiseul. I have been following the Blog since its inception with interest but have had some bad vibes about the tone of some of the comments posted on the blog.

    We KNOW who and what Rufus is and I feel that if we spend our time and energy concentrating on him then we will lose sight of what we are aiming for and the hopes and plans for Choiseul. we should be promoting Lorne's manifesto and plans for Choiseul rather than just running down the opposition.

    Haven't we had enough campaigns that are solely based on vilifying the opponent ? then when whoever is elected does nothing we are surprised , but that is our own fault as I don't remember candidates putting forward any plans worth talking about .

    I would like to hope that we have gone beyond the era of cheap stunts to win votes tomorrow and can look beyond our toes to the future, not just the next 4 years but for the future generations or am I just being naive.?

    Cyberboss, we need more of your positive criticism so congratulations and keep up the good work.

    PS I would say the highest mountain in Choiseul is Gros Piton, Google seems to found the Choiseul in Mauritius and ( like everyone else ) forgotten about us !

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  12. I agree 100% with the writer above; we should focus more on policy issues. but I used to be in the Rufus camp and and that's the only thing they know. Gilo is a specialist. He created some real bad things that frightened me to the bone. As for rufus, he is a coward but he is very vindictive. He will never help nobody who is not supporting him. He and his gang sharpen their knives to murder murder people who is not supporting them. that's why i left them and I am now with Lorne. i love Lorne; he is a true gentlemen

    PAST UWP SUPPORTER

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  13. I like this article. I also like the comments about it. rich and diverse. I can't wait to visit that site. I go there first thing in the morning. And when I return from work I go there again. Cyberboss, you must be praised for opening up your blog for uncensored comments. You are a very brave and open man! Keep up the work! How about inviting the district rep to publish his Christmas on your website. In the interest of balance, yo can also asked Lorne to to do the same.

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  14. Cyber, What is Dalson doing on our Website? Can't he have his own? That's Choiseul Business, not Soufriere business.

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  15. Mr Cyberboss - my best teacher. Why you tell Gilo your business and I see he is exposing you. be careful with these fellah, they like revenge. I hope you don't lost your job. R U still the principal of St. Mary's College? I hope you don't lose your job because Mr Bousquet is very mischievous. When he took over GIS, he fired Mr Michael Gaspard. His staff say he likes to snobbed. Bolo, how you all elect that man to represent us. I want to vote in Choiseul this election. Because, I want Lorne to win by a big margin, maybe by 1000+ votes.

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