Dear Editor,

The resilience of Jamaican mothers in supporting their families is a great tradition that is now on show in the Manor Park area of Constant Spring.

After being evicted from the now-demolished Constant Spring market, the women vendors did not disappear with their paltry compensation. Instead, they have established an informal bend down-type market beyond the new bridge. There is no structure so these hard-working citizens are exposed to the sun and rain and are bereft of any sanitary facilities.

They use various bits of covering in a haphazard and unsightly manner to ward off the elements. The gully then becomes a ready receptacle for waste of all kinds — human and the by-products of their trade — hence the previously pristine area is now chaotic and carries a pungent smell.

Now that the road realignment has taken place, there are some observations. Traversing Manor Park promises to be much easier and very welcome. There is no break in the Jersey barrier between the Total gas station and the traffic lights that would facilitate pedestrians crossing.

The abrupt end of what now turns out to be a turning lane southbound on to Olivier Road suggests that a building was in the way of the original plans and had to be circumvented. No such luck for the market. However, there is sufficient space between the new road and the gully to accommodate the original occupants of the market in any proposed development slated for that area.

The word on the street is that the lands are earmarked for a closely connected member of a class regarded as above that of the vendors. I urge the relevant authorities to make those mothers’ plight, which resulted from the displacement, a prime consideration. Help them to preserve their self-worth by not having to relieve themselves in an undignified manner.

Anything to the contrary would be seen as callous and give credence to the notion that there are two Jamaicas and your experience is dependent on which side of the divider between “haves” and “have nots” you fall.

Ralston Nunes

ralstonnunes@gmail.com