Bamboo - The Quaint District
Heavy rains pelted the island recently causing
flooding in St Ann. However, Bamboo district was spared the worst compared to
other communities.
Nonetheless, the heavy rains were a welcome
blessing for the residents as it is their only means of getting water. The
commodity is not piped there. Town folks said farming was their main form of
subsistence and they depend on rainfall to fill tanks.
Bamboo, formerly known as Excellence Town,
according to Wikipedia, had a population of 3,732 in 1991. Residents said this
figure has climbed tremendously. There are two schools, a basic school and the
Bamboo Primary and Junior High. There is also the Hill Top Correctional Centre
that houses juveniles.
Inside Buckwild Sports Bar, one of many taverns
in the area, Christopher Senior eagerly give his take on his community.
"We need running water and opportunities around here mi bredrin. Bamboo
full of tilers, plumbers, electricians and teachers, we just want the chance to
do tings. In relation to crime, we nuh really see much of that, the police and
Bamboo citizens dem good. As a matter of fact, the community people act as our
own police."
Senior said the playing field needs fixing so
children can have a play area and form more clubs. "The clubs dem bout di
place too up and down when dem ready," he expressed.
A lady nearby said at this time of the year, many
residents are looking forward to the annual Miss Bamboo competition that is
sponsored by the business community.
The barmaid quickly reiterated the water woe
sentiments. She said, "Water is the biggest issue, thank God for the heavy
rains that fall weekend gone. Me nuh born, come see running water inna pipe
enuh. We need an ATM machine as well and a pharmacy cause we have to travel to
St Ann's Bay or Brown's Town."
Maud Campbell, a senior resident, gave her
experience of life in Bamboo. "Life hard and tough, so you have to work
hard for a living. Mi sell a little slippers and drops. Dem call mi the drops
lady around here! Other people farm all sort of crops. If you nuh do farming,
yuh dead fi hungry."
Commenting on crime, a resident said:
"Crime and violence is under control. A only the schoolchildren give
likkle trouble and some minor praedial larsonist. Dem will tek yuh cow and kill
it."
Younger residents said its not easy for them in
the community. Trudy Wishart, 20, and her sister Sherida, 18, said there is
nothing to attract young people. Their friend Conette Paris, 19, agreed,
saying: "You know we can do housekeeping, cosmetology, waitressing and
bartending and other things. We need more things here to keep the place
vibrant, all we do is watch tv and play bingo or cricket on Sundays."
Dr Dayton Campbell, member of parliament for
North West St Ann, where Bamboo falls, is all too familiar with the residents'
plight.
"I am aware of the issues and have narrowed
them down to five central concerns. These are proper roads and potable water,
unemployment, educational facility, health care and skills training," Dr
Campbell, who is originally from the community, said. "We have a patching
programme coming for Bamboo. There was a well that was dug up in Green Pond, so
we trying to get an estimate to get that up and running. As it relates to education,
the home work programme is about to get started as we are awaiting a list from
the principals to have an idea of the number of students interested."
Campbell operates a mobile clinic in the area
and a skills training programme begins January. Bushing and drain cleaning to
prevent flooding is being conducted.
André Williams, STAR
Writer
December 6, 2012
