By Richard Bhainie

WHILE many would be indulging in the festivities of the Christmas season, surrounded by the warmth and love of friends and family, some will be spending the holidays a bit differently.
If you were to take an orthodox stroll through the streets of Georgetown on any regular day, your attention would be directed to the homeless. Scattered throughout the City, the homeless are often considered a nuisance by many. Neglected and shunned, they endure some of the harshest conditions in the City. At Christmas, families are gathered and the homes are filled. While everyone is bustling with the activities the day brings, the homeless people still exist, but are often forgotten.

The Guyana Chronicle took to the streets of Georgetown, seeking out a few of these individuals, who shared their experiences of spending Christmas without a home; and their expectations for Christmas this year. The consensus among these individuals of what constitutes a home seems to be, a place that provides comfort, personal space and security. However, for various reasons, some homeless persons are unable to relish the nature of the home.
Roy Ram, who has been homeless for two years, told the Guyana Chronicle that he was involved in an accident that rendered him disabled.

ABANDONED
His family took him to a health centre for treatment, where they abandoned him. Subsequently, when he was released, he resorted to the streets of Georgetown for accommodation. Michael Messiah, who has been living on the streets for three years, related to this publication that he previously resided with his sister in Farm, East Bank Demerara. He explained that he is 73 years of age, and even though he would have applied for his Old-Age Pension three times, he has never received any. Consequently, he moved out of house because he is unable to contribute for food and towards utilities expenses.

And while some may think that these individuals have no home to be, living on the street is a preference for many. Brian, who goes by the alias “Lucky”, hailing from Middle walk, Buxton, has been living on streets of Georgetown for over 40 years. He explained that he prefers to live on the streets, as he has more freedom there. “I got a place I could stay but I rather out here, you know why, when I go home by my family certain time I does got to be in the house, but when I outside I don’t got to ask nobody anything,” Lucky said. John Kolf, a street dweller for 30 years, related that persons at his former place of residence were unpleasant towards him, which prompted him to take to the streets.

CHRISTMAS DAY
At Christmas, when the mood is light, the soul is bright and everyone seems to be spreading the Christmas cheer nothing of significance is changed for the homeless. When asked of how he spent more than 30 Christmases residing on the streets, Kolf related that “I just got to sit down and take insults and embarrassment from a variety of people; they say I overcrowding the street and people like me are always in the way of others.” However, aware of the atmosphere, these individuals make the most of the day.

They spend the day with each other, waiting on donations from caring and kind-hearted individuals who reach out to them on Christmas Day. And for Messiah, he explained that “most times we wait on charity, things that come to help the poor, on Christmas Day, normally they got a man does come and give we a $500 plus give us things to eat”. He is hoping that the generous individuals do not forget them this year.

Lucky in high spirits contended: “Christmas nice man, I does enjoy it, Christmas Day I does just enjoy myself because I does go by one of my friends and collect the lil things. I does get bonus from people I working with, $3,000 and $2,000 and so.”

CHRISTMAS WISHES

Christmas is synonymous with gifts. From young to old, there’s an expectation of Santa coming from the North Pole. It’s no different for persons residing on the street. Sharing what he would like for Christmas lucky related: “I want see Santa, I want see people bring pepperpot, I want see nice people who would come and say hold this lil raise, Christmas time is a time fuh share.”

However, Messiah related that he would like to receive his pension. Kolf said due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he does not want anything for himself; however, he has one wish for the world. “What I want for this Christmas is that everybody over the age of 18 should have they own house, could feed they own self and clothe they own self.”

Although there is a common misconception that the homeless are ‘junkies’, drug addicts and all the negative stereotypes society makes them out to be, a simple conversation with them would prove to be contrary, since the homeless are people who came from a home just like you and me. During the Christmas season all are urged to be warm, nice and accommodating as can be.