Mr. Clinton Uh Luna
Finca Solana
Corozal Town
Dear Mr. Luna,
In reference to your article re: “Government Shop Poverty Alleviation Program”.
What happens when an average Corozaleño collects his weekly pay check of $200.00 and it falls short, having a wife and one child to maintain?
This would be what his expenses would look like.
Weekly pay check = $200.00
Weekly expenses as follows:
Towards light bill = $15.00
Towards water bill = $10.00
Towards rent = $35.00
Transportation to and from work = $18.00
Transportation to and from school (1 child) = $10.00
5 plates of food for (1 child) at school @ $2.00 plate = $10.00
2 loaves of bread daily x 7 days – 14 x 1.75 = $24.50
2 lbs rice per day x 7 days – 14 x $2.00 = $28.00
4 lbs sugar per week x 0.50 = $2.00
6 lbs beans per week x 1.50 = $9.00
1 bottle 1-2-3 oil per week x 4.60 = $4.60
2 packs chocolate drink per week x 2.75 = $5.50
2 lbs milk per week x 4.50 = $9.00
1 bag soap powder per week = $4.50
1 bot Clorox per week = $2.25
2 bath soap per week = $2.00
2 packs toilet paper per week x 1.65 = $3.30
3 – 5-gal containers of purified water per week x 2.50 = $7.50
Total: = $200.15
Vegetables, fruits, meat, chicken, eggs, butter? These are basic food items that have become luxuries which the average worker cannot afford. There is no money for the butane gas or kerosene; fire hearths are making a comeback!
If we are to follow the Rights of the Child, there is no money for the basic recreational and mental development of the child (UNICEF-?)
Nor the basic necessities of women as per used on a daily basis (Women’s Rights?)
Where will the money for the clothing, the school project, the contribution for school functions, school fees come from?
If the child gets sick he/she has to be taken to the hospital where the supply of medicines is abysmal.
The father will get a prescription for medicines he cannot afford to buy. He has to borrow the money to buy it. Thus upon paying back the following week, he deprives the home of a good portion of basic needs. Hunger!!!
This because he is getting an above minimum wage of $200.00 and he has only one child.
What happens to the families who have 2, 3 or 4 children?
The father who cuts cane and only gets a minimum wage of $80.00 to a $100.00 per week?
The cane farmer who upon getting his weekly payment for cane deliveries has to pay for the cutting, loading and transportation. The meager sum he is left with can barely sustain his family?
This is where the “Government Shop Alleviation Program” that I have read in several of Mr. Luna’s articles in the Amandala could basically provide part of the goods needed.
This program needs to be implemented immediately regardless of any obstacles ($$$) from the large business sectors.
Hopefully the government will pay heed to this, and put in motion the mechanisms to start this program before it is too late!
Remember the old saying – a hungry man is an angry man!
(Signed) Mr. Eulogio Itza
San Narciso, Corozal District