Lowmans woman wants out of darkness

A 42-year-old Lowmans Leeward resident is pleading with members of the public to help her out of darkness.{{more}}

During a visit to SEARCHLIGHT yesterday, Judy Jackson said she has been unable to get electricity installed at her Lowmans Leeward home because of the distance involved and the related high costs.

Jackson, who lives with her nine children, said she applied to VINLEC for electricity installation, but because she lives far from any electrical pole in the area, she must pay to have a pole installed.

A letter from VINLEC, which was addressed to Jackson, outlined the procedure.

“Due to your distance from our existing service, the installation of a 2-pole low voltage line extension is required before we can deliver proper service,” the letter stated. “This is estimated to cost $6,080.94, inclusive of 15 per cent VAT.”

According to the letter, $3,424.73 is allocated to materials while $1,863.04 is allocated to installation. The value added tax is calculated at $793.17.

Jackson told SEARCHLIGHT that she is unemployed and would like help in raising this amount of money.

“I don’t really work [any] where. I does get 200 dollars when the month done. The man who wiring the house, he charge me 500 dollars so is the 200 dollars I get every month that I paying the man with. He almost done,” she said.

Jackson also revealed that she does not have running water at her home, and that she gets water from neighbours and a standpipe in the area.

Having suffered from polio since she was a child, Jackson has to walk with two crutches. She said finding a job is difficult as people discriminate against her, because of her condition.

“I have certificate for cooking and baking and craft. Sometimes I go for work, people does watch me and say I can’t work. First thing they do is watch my foot,” she told SEARCHLIGHT. “Alyo self not trying me. I not dunce. I go school. I could read and write.”

The mother of nine was concerned that where she lives is very dark at night and may not be safe, particularly for her five daughters, as there are men hanging around in the area at late hours.

“You have to come off the main road and come down between a lot of land. Only my house dey down pan that side there,” Jackson explained. “Right now, kerosene oil scarce. All the lantern and them just in the house and down that side there is real dark so is candle we using now.”

Jackson is pleading with anyone who can offer her assistance in obtaining the money needed to install the electricity poles.

Anyone wishing to help Jackson can contact her at 528-7507 or 531-6516.