Since the darkness of COVID-19 cast its shadow over Guyana, many Guyanese have been abandoned in quandaries. From loss of income to homelessness, it is the will to live that has saved many people from losing all hope. The children’s formal education was disrupted leaving many parents, teachers and students struggling to master the new system of online learning. Guyana children with little or no internet access are being left behind.
We have had to adapt to this unusual way of life where our freedom is restricted and the fear of breathing in the air has made us inhospitable prisoners of global disorder.
Still, within the shadows of COVID-19, sparks of light give us hope. The announcement of COVID’s $ 25000 cash grant in September 2020 was a beacon for many Guyanese. Money cannot buy peace or happiness, but a cash grant would alleviate some of the anxiety for many families even if only for a short time. Some paid bills could be settled, or empty pantries stocked. The people expressed their gratitude.
There were reports which considered that the distribution of the COVID cash grant was a success. When former President Granger received his story, the story of him giving it to a few families made the news. I wasn’t sure why he made the news. It may be worth noting that both ‘you do not have’ or those who are not entitled to the grant. Perhaps because the political agendas are always in force.
Nevertheless, despite the success stories, the process is not without its issues. For the first few months after distribution began, I did not know anyone who received it. Even when the distribution started in Region 4 and it was reported that millions had already been distributed, I did not know anyone. However, within the last few weeks, I know a few people who received the grant. But in some communities, many families are alleged to have been left without. There was a report on Buxton and Friendship communities for example. A community leader said some houses were deliberately skipped. People allegedly complained that even a police officer stated that not everyone can expect to receive the grant.
There have also been reports of the squat area of Success. One report noted that some squatters had received the grant. However, in another report, some squatters complained that they had not done so. Those who allegedly did not receive the grant said the delivery team did not fulfill a promise to return at a given time.
I have seen many people inquire on social media about when the grant will be distributed in their area. Some have reported hearing that the grant had been distributed in their area but no one had visited their home. Some heard the distribution had ended in their area, but were unaware that it had even started.
Some people have received a ‘pink slip’ with a promise that they will receive the grant at a later date because their information has to be checked. This was noted by many renters in particular.
It was also reported that some of the clerks delivering the grant were under threat in some communities. These are difficult times and people are frustrated. Some families need the money and if they are told they do not qualify or have to wait, their expressions of anger and disappointment cannot be unexpected.
Based on someone’s perspective, the classification could be considered a success or failure. Certainly there are those recipients who have approved the process. While others complained that the grant was too small. But in some cases, the discontent is genuine. Imagine a household of ten or more having to make about $ 25000. The cash grant was certainly not meant to feed families for a month or more, but only to supplement what they earn. But many already impoverished Guyanese have been plunged into a deeper state of poverty because of COVID-19.
Then there are those who received the pink slip and are still waiting. It was reported that these people will receive their grant in the second phase. But I wonder, for people who are renting and got a pink slip instead of their grant, couldn’t a rental receipt be a test? And what about the folks that nobody visited, and distribution has ended in their area? Will systems be in place so that these people can claim their grant once they provide all the evidence needed to verify their eligibility?
I am wondering if a different distribution method could not be used to ensure that every Guyanese household does indeed receive a COVID cash grant. Certainly, the process of getting clerks, police and community leaders moving from house to house would lead to some dissatisfaction. One would imagine that this land is full of natural resources; Writing flat articles on the transition that might occur due to oil wealth, would be later in our methods. In America stimulus checks were deposited into people’s bank accounts or posted. The COVID cash grant distribution process began in September and almost four months later continues in a country with less than a million citizens. The distribution was reported to be nearing completion, but there has been no indication of the teams in the area where I live and many others.
The exercise also once again reveals the difference between the rich and poor in Guyana. Certainly, Guyana’s wealth has never been fairly distributed, but every day now the gap seems to be widening. With no end to COVID, are there any plans for cash grants until the pandemic is over? Can other distribution methods be explored? And certainly, every Guyanese household deserves much more than US125.