I feel compelled at this time to articulate my perspective in relation to the issue as a current resident of the community of Lower Maraval, without fear of retribution, for it is an issue that I am very passionate about.
My passion does not stem from an opposition to the education of the youths of the country but stems from the desire to ensure that those same children have a safe and stimulating community in which to develop as individuals and contributing members to society into the future. A community that will make them want to remain in their homeland and not look abroad for a "better life."
There is a plethora of evidence around the world to support the fact that when an unbalanced level of commercial interests move into a residential community the dynamic of a community changes, residents look for other places to live a safe and peaceful life and the community "dies." Once dead, it takes a very long time for a community to be revitalised.
To flourish, a community has to have people within it that have a vested interest in the community 24/7. Unfortunately, the vast majority of commercial interests do not have any vested interest in the communities in which they operate as once their money is made and the sun goes down they are gone.
Lower Maraval for a number of years now has been experiencing such a slow death with a noticeable rise in crime and a deterioration in the safety of residents. A plethora of businesses have moved into the community and the people that may have had the required vested interest have moved out. I am fighting to discontinue this trend.
It is for this reason I am passionate about saving my community as one day I shall pass and would like to know that some young family would look forward to moving into the area to continue the legacy. Cars come and go but let's keep communities forever!
Scott Collins,
via e-mail