Hundreds of worshippers lined up to pay homage to La Divina Pastora in Siparia yesterday. Despite the nationwide power outage, the influx of devotees did not dwindle. Coordinator Vena Fermin said there was an even greater turnout with lines extending beyond the church yard.
Business people displayed their wares on the periphery of the church, selling clothing, jewelry, haberdashery and food. The poor flocked in their hundreds to the back of the church where they sat under tents. Many brought blankets and clothing with the hope of spending the night in the churchyard.A crowd of children mobbed Herbert Noel as he distributed sandwiches.
Some young mothers sat with their newborn babies in the heat while the wind kicked up clouds of dust. Abigail Cox, who was breastfeeding her five-month-old baby, Akino Kemo, said she had no choice but to bring her baby into the church."Things really hard right now because a tree fall on top of my house at Indian Walk, Moruga, and nobody helped me. I living in a little shack right now and I came here to get some relief," Cox said.
Another mother, Lisa Balkaran, who came with her one-month-old baby, Shania, said it was the first time she had made the journey to "make a hustle" in the church."I don't always do this but I need a little help," Balkaran said. Nisha Jogie, who came from San Juan to pray, said the stench at the back of the church was overwhelming."An old lady get sick waiting in the line because of the stench. They cannot have children in such insanitary conditions," Jogie said.
She called on the church to regulate the influx of people at the church. Samdaye Bissoon, who waited for four hours in a line to pay homage to the statue, said she did not mind the stench of urine and perspiration."I am happy to wait because everything I ask for I get. I have been coming here for the past 40 years. I have prayed for my marriage and for health," Bissoon said.
Manisha Sammy, of Trincity, also said better protection must be offered to children.Meanwhile, councillor for Cedros, Fitzroy Beache, complained that children were being exploited during the event. He said he planned to speak to church officials to put measures in place to stop parents from using their children to collect alms. Beache also said worshippers must distribute food items rather than money.
"We do not know where the money is going. There are many people who taking the alms and buying drugs and alcohol. The children are being taught how to beg and this cannot be good for our country," Beache said.Meanwhile, Fermin said, security was hired to ensure there were no scuffles in the church yard. Six private security guards, as well as police officers, were deployed to keep watch over the crowd.