THE EDITOR, Sir:
THE RESIDENTS of White Horses, St. Thomas, are tired of the neglect we have been suffering at the hands of the National Water Commission.
I am a single mother of two small children and I am a teacher by profession. I live in Shady Spring in the same district. For years I have had no running water in my pipe. I now possess three 650 gallons black rhino tanks. No one can imagine the agony I suffer to get those tanks filled. Those tanks have been empty for the past three weeks now. How do I get water?
I have to travel with some big bottles in my vehicle and my hose everywhere I drive to. I also have to travel with a little tote bag with underwear and bath supplies for myself and my children so that I can "beg a bathe" from my friends and relatives when I visit their homes. I load up my little vehicle with my laundry every so often and go washing here there and anywhere I can borrow the use of someone's washing machine or pipe.
I have to make several trips outside to the heavy bottles which I cannot manage to lift, in order to obtain water for each child to bathe, for myself to bathe, to wash the dishes, scour the bathroom, clean the floors and get rid of refuse.
Imagine balancing that stress with working in an over-crowded classroom, with inadequate resources, indisciplined children, poor salary and inconsiderate personnel in the working environment.
I am extremely fed up with this existence. This is no way for a decent, law-abiding citizen to live. I make significant contributions to the country in my job as a teacher. If 'Water is life' I am near dead.
I am, etc.,
JASMINE MATTERSON
Iavtg@hotmail.com
Shady Spring District
White Horses P.O.
St. Thomas
