Christmas is a time for family. It is a time where people travel for hours over miles to be with the ones they love even if it is for a few minutes. So imagine that feeling of isolation, loneliness and abandonment when despite having loved ones, you are not welcomed in their home.
That has been the story of Harry Jakes for almost two years.
Hearing Jakes’ story leaves one wondering where does a vagrant hang their stocking for goodies when all they have is a little people of cardboard that may be insulated with some discarded foam or scraps of what was once bed sheets. It leaves one wondering where beneath a bridge or under a fruit stand they would put a Christmas tree.
The mere thought of a “Please Help” sign, or seeing stretched out hands as you pass with huge bags of items to decorate your homes leaves one shuddering. The idea of being bothered remains at the back of our heads as we warm up in our vehicles and drive home to decorate and enjoy the lavishness of the holiday season.
We welcome the little extra cash in the form of an annual bonus as we go on to shop big so that our tables could sport all the deprived goodies. As we indulge we do not think of those who have no one to celebrate with, we do not think about those who have no shelter of their heads.
As we are about to celebrate this festive season, has the thought crossed your mind that they are people who do not have the luxury as you do? It is easy to judge the homeless at first glance, but, less so when a story has a face.
“It all started about a year ago or two ago, I had no other choice than to come out here. What I see in this life is that strangers care for you more than your own. I prefer to be out here than to be in a home where I can’t even get lil tea to drink”, these were the words of 74-year-old Jakes, a street dweller.
The elderly man who is invariably seen sitting in front of the Guyana Post Office (GPO), Robb Street in Georgetown shared his story with the Sunday Times Magazine. He said that he is a father of five sons who have gone on to lead their own lives without giving his presence any consideration.
“Them don’t give me nothing to eat so I came out here and I does beg people that pass down here for help. I get a big police son and he doesn’t even get time with me”, he said.
Old age has gotten the best of Jakes since he could not remember the specific date of his birth but remembers other aspects of his life very well. He noted that his children were birthed as a result of a common-law union he had many years ago.
“She was an Indian girl and she use to take care of me but she dead now so I have nobody left,” he vocalized.
Nevertheless, he said that as a youngster he never had a stable job but he worked, and it is such a pity that he has been reduced to this stage. When asked what does it feel like to be on the streets around Christmas and not being able to enjoy the season with the family, he said: “It is hard cause my family don’t care, sometimes people pass here when they shopping and watch me and skin up them face. When I ask them for 20 dollars them does mek up them face like them scorn me.”
Jake also mentions that they are times when he gets sick but never has anyone to take him to the hospital, he would have to wave through his sickness until he feels better.
“I don’t go to the hospital, who will carry me hospital if my family doesn’t care who will care,” he said.
However, when asked what Christmas means to him he questioned: “What is Christmas for a beggar?”
Meanwhile, he thanked the staff of GPO for the help they have been giving him over the past year and prays that someone can lend him some assistance to get off the streets for this Christmas. (La’Wanda McAllister)
