Nothing new for the new year
‘Rambo’ sprawled off in his ‘home’ (Delano Williams photos)
‘Rambo’ sprawled off in his ‘home’ (Delano Williams photos)

BY now, many would have already set their New Year’s resolutions, while some would have already had the last year cook-up, with some now turning up in the club to break the New Year. However, there are some whose New Year’s Day has found them where past New Year’s Days have: on the street.
“I wasn’t always on the street,” stated “Princess”, who despite not being sure as to how old she is, her memories of a New Year’s Day surrounded by family were firmly etched in her mind.
“Is years now I ain’t see my family, they all gone foreign and foget meh but I ain’t foget them, I remember when we used tuh dress up and go church and boy if you see how I coulda dress!” she exclaimed, laughing at the fond memory.
Despite the laughter, it’s a memory filled with pain, since it has been close to 10 years since she has been homeless. Almost each year she has spent the start of the new year on the streets of Georgetown, fighting for a dry place to stay if it happens to rain.
Before being homeless, she was a midwife, a mother, and somewhat of a familiar face in the community and when she was not at the hospital celebrating the New Year births, she was at church praising God for life.

‘Princess’ sitting on the grass

Her story as to how she became homeless was a bit unclear, as she became tight-lipped when asked about her life before the streets. The one thing she was expressive about was what she wanted for the new year.
“If I could find a place, a nice place with meh family, I’d love it, ah does serve a Mighty God and I ain’t forget how to pray, ah know he could do it,” she finished.
Not echoing her faith was ‘Rambo’, who said he has long accepted his life on the street.
“Is not nothing new, is another year I deh here, nobody ain’t want me and I ain’t wan nobody,” he stated.
The 30-year-old has been homeless for quite some time and unlike “Princess”, his story of ending up homeless was clear. According to him, he was a mechanic and falling into the wrong company and doing drugs caused him to lose his family and his home.
“Watch is me fault I deh here champ man, and is Father God got me here as punishment, I done accept me place, every year is same thing, fight for cardboard and space and pray it don’t rain,” he said unapologetically.
For the new year his wishes were simple, “I just want people leff me alone champ and I good.”
Both “Princess” and “Rambo” are a drop in the pond of homeless persons, who unlike most will see the new year with the same old story.
For me, meeting the pair was a reminder of how many things I had to be thankful for: a place to stay, family and friends who care and a stable job, despite the finer complaints I might have.
If there is one thing they have taught me, it is that life is unforgiving and can change in a moment and my New Year’s resolution is to be more thankful.

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