Dear Barbados Free Press:
I am writing to you in the hope that you will publicise a disgrace which happening here in Barbados.
I know of a little boy has been off school for 2 weeks now. No, he is not ill, he has simply broken his glasses!
The optician who supplies the free spectacles for school children has suspended this service, as they have not been paid by the government for a full year. I understand that there are many tens of thousands of dollars outstanding!!!
Unfortunately, with the financial toll of Christmas the family has had no option but to keep the boy off school.
A free education is no use without the ability to see the chalkboard.
Yours truly,
(name withheld)
Also in the Nation News…
Not paying for glasses
Published on: 12/12/07.I THINK the people of Barbados need to know what is going on at the Winston Scott Polyclinic.
My son was sent there, through his school, because his teacher noticed he could not see the chalkboard.
He was seen by a nice doctor who explained that the youngster was myopic and would need to wear glasses all the time and sit at the front
of the class.After the eye test, he was given a prescription to get his free glasses, but I was told he could not get them as the polyclinic/Ministry of Health was not paying its bills to the company that was supplying glasses to schoolchildren.
I was very angry and upset about this as my son is sitting his 11-Plus examination in a few months’ time and cannot see. I was told to complain to the Minister of Health or my MP.
I went to the company that supplies the glasses and explained that the little boy’s eyes were very bad, he could not see. I begged the company to give him the glasses.
It was very understanding but could not help as it said it was not paid for 11 months by the polyclinic and could not pay its suppliers.
Maybe hundreds of children are unable to see because of this problem. The eye-clinic at Winston Scott Polyclinic is full of schoolchildren every day needing glasses.
– JAMAL BRATHWAITE
(Read this letter online at The Nation News – Link Here)
33 Comments
December 14, 2007 at 4:24 am
this is easily resolved
Hallam Nichols or David Shorey will be able to access one of their hard earned offshore money accounts and look after this young man’s needs. They are Owen’s bagmen and men of integrity.
December 14, 2007 at 4:26 am
“Unfortunately, with the financial toll of Christmas the family has had no option but to keep the boy off school.”
Does this mean that this little boy can’t get glasses and can’t go to school because the family needs to spend the money on Christmas?
Sad. very sad.
December 14, 2007 at 10:08 am
Hey Jay? Where are you? Fourteen years later and $750 million in cost overruns and what? No eye-glasses for children? Shame!
December 14, 2007 at 11:24 am
THIS MAKES ME SO ANGRY!!!
A government which presides over 750 million in cost over-runs cannot even afford a few thousand to preserve the eyesight of our school children!
A ‘disgrace’ is too mild a word for it.
This sort of story – of which I am sure there are lots more – shows the utter contempt with which these politicians view their electorate.
In this case, respect has to go the optician who continued to run the contract up to a year without payment. MOST private sector companies would cease work after a month!
Come on the BLP! Lets hear the excuses this time!
December 14, 2007 at 12:46 pm
I cannot believe that the “financial burden of Christmas” would come before the going out and buying a pair of glasses for the child.
Although the financial mismanagement of the scheme by government is pathetic, over the years successive administrations have encouraged Barbadians to expect too much freeness.
Who is entitled to free glasses? Is the entitlement means tested? I’d bet that many of the parents whose kids got free glasses over the past year could probably afford to pay for them.
December 14, 2007 at 1:04 pm
This news item is INCORRECT. Once again the failure to investigate stories received for the purpose of political expediency has allowed misinformation to be leaked into the public arena.
Clearly those responsible for the dissemination of information no longer takes prides in giving their reading and listening audience the kind of information that would permit them to make sound and inform decisions.
It is really a dark period in the life of investigative journalism in Barbados. Everyday we see the evidence where lies override truth and political expediency tramples what is politically right.
The matter with respect to the free supply of eye glasses to our school children is a simple case of increase demand.
The number of children now seeking the use of eye glasses have increased. The budget that was set aside to supply these glasses has been exhausted and a further vote has been requested to cover the outstanding balance.
It is untrue to say that the company supplying the glasses has not been paid for the year. The truth is that they are owed the outstanding balance, the balance between what was budgeted and the increase over that budget for this year.
*************
BFP Comments…
OK, so they are owed money by the government and as a result they stopped making eyeglasses for the children.
What exactly is YOUR point RR?
December 14, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I agree that the government should be meeting its obligations, however, I only pray that these families decide to forgo other unnecessary luxuries to make certain that these children get the glasses that they need straightaway.
December 14, 2007 at 2:01 pm
P.S. What is the financial toll of Christmas?
December 14, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Royalrumble says…..
“It is really a dark period in the life of investigative journalism in Barbados. Everyday we see the evidence where lies override truth and political expediency tramples what is politically right.”
So you are attacking The Nation Newspaper because they printed the letter from the parent without investigating. Veiled threat from the PM’s office shall we say?
You do understand that a Blog has no journalist, investigative or otherwise. Just ordinary citizens who discuss any and everything in spite of the “veiled threats.”
In First World Barbados, Government is expected to pay its bills in a timely manner and also someone should have found a way to ensure that children get their glasses and stay in school.
“The truth is that they are owed the outstanding balance”.
Pay them and let the children “See”.
December 14, 2007 at 2:31 pm
I would not expect BFP to understand the point I am making. After all you can not put your stupid corruption spin on it so you would not understand it.
In any event my comment was not intended for you to understand. It was intended for your audience to read. To hell what you think.
December 14, 2007 at 2:55 pm
Clearly these companies that have refused to supply these children with their glasses because they are owed money by Government, says more about them than it does about Government.
An update on the matter reveals that since the recent vote of funds in Parliament funds have been allocated for these companies, which they knew would have happened anyway.
Their actions, if true, were harsh, uncaring and unbecoming of a society that is trying to build a caring and civilized environment for all our citizens.
December 14, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Royalrumble
“It is untrue to say that the company supplying the glasses has not been paid for the year. ”
Eh?
December 14, 2007 at 3:01 pm
has allowed misinformation to be leaked into the public arena.
It certainly appears everything is a leak nowadays and the source of these leaks is from within your own party as was revealed at the MASSIVE PUBLIC MEETING HELD IN HERO’S SQUARE when the leader of the Opposition clearly stated that despite the song and dance about who revealed the inside information on HARDWOOD HOUSING all of his information came from right within you and your parties bossom it was sent to him by no lesser a person than the PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO THE DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER.
As is the case so to like the new $ 65,000.00 cheque that the party is holding from the Owing and Julie St.Peter Development fund that is financed by the west coast buyers group headed by Dereck Smith, Rausing and company.
One deposit alone that was from Derceck Smith was to the tune of STL 400,000.00.
Do you think they got a dollar or two to knock around?
I also wonder how does he declare or does he have to reveal the source of these funds to this account, you or I as small black business people will have to show the bank who your great, great great grandmother was before they would accept a $ 10,000.00 cheque for deposit, I assume his route is easier than most of our is.
December 14, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Is there any way that members of the public can assist the disadvantaged children in the meantime, eg donating unused frames etc?
December 14, 2007 at 3:43 pm
When one considers that this adminstration has malspent in excess of $ 750 million of our taxpayers dollars, in the VECO PRISON PROJECT, DANOS 3 S ROAD WORKS PROJECT, GREENLAND, NEWTON UNFINISHED BUILDING, BATHS, RURAL DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION, URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
However we cannot find the $ 300.00 needed to take care of the sight needs of this little boy?
It is an absolute disgrace to the gov’t and to the people of Barbados for something such as this to have taken place in this society when we have so many of Owing’s friends and himself and his cabinet living sweet off of the hog and the rest of us honest citizens catching hell.
December 14, 2007 at 3:54 pm
Dear Royalrumble
You are talking nonsense!
If you worked for the government and they had not paid your salary for a year would you still continue to work?
I don’t think so somehow.
Don’t pass the blame on the a private company which has been contracted to supply items under a government contract! The fault is ALL with the government. Any numbskull can see this!
Uncaring and uncivilised applies only to the government for failing to provide an adequate system for these vulnerable youngsters!
Shame on you RR for defending the indefensible!!
December 14, 2007 at 4:03 pm
I would willingly donate my old frames to a loacation if I thought that they would be properly put to use but it is pointless to to deposit them somewhere and for them not to reach the ones that are in need of them.
Do for heavens sake do not let the Minister of Health get involved in this event as it will be an even worst disaster than he overseas now at the QEH.
This is something that the wonderful LIONS club could have managed and coordinated well.
December 14, 2007 at 4:16 pm
Well the boy is going to be out of school anyway for the next 3 weeks as schools are closed until January. Thats one thing.. so we don’t have to worry about that.
The financial toll of christmas.. well which is more important.. spending tons of money on loads of toys, or buying eye glasses??
and he has broken his glasses.. Can’t they be fixed or must he get new ones.. meaning, he has broken the frames or the lenses??? so he already had a pair of free glasses he needs another pair.
Should I take my children to the eye service so they can get free glasses. part of the problem is that everyone in Barbados thinks that government needs to pay for everything. I’ve taken my daughter to a private optician and paid about 250.00bbd for a pair of reading glasses, which my husband says is too much (which might be), but thats what it is. should I send the bill to Owen?? just checking..
Trust me.. I’m not saying it’s a disgrace that govt isn’t paying their bills.. but come on. you do what you have to do for your children.. not just go running to the press.
December 14, 2007 at 5:02 pm
I read the letter reproduced in the Nation and no mention of “financial toll of Christmas” was included, that statement is in the letter BFP listed. What it exposes is a gov’t that has difficulty paying it’s debts, didn’t the same thing happen with the Pharmacists recently? RR make a comment about the integrity of the companies but I’m sure that they have a different take on the matter. The companies are in business to make a profit, they also have bills and employees to pay and can’t extend credit indefinitely.
It’s a pity that this gov’t cant take care of the basic needs of the citizens
December 14, 2007 at 5:30 pm
this matter is just one of the onions dat was found amongst the bananas
royal rumble ya true tho, cuz many police officers were restricted from working extra duties a time back, because more hours in extra duties were worked by policemen before the financial year was over, and the money that was to pay for such duties was running out. (so they say)
this is just an example of how de government manage the budget, seems like de government need a piggy bank
December 14, 2007 at 5:32 pm
wunna remember de other pharmacies who were not paid a while back too, or is this just dejavu?
December 14, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Royal Rumble:
“An update on the matter reveals that since the recent vote of funds in Parliament funds have been allocated for these companies, which they knew would have happened anyway.”
Businesses cannot survive on hope alone. Waiting for a year and assuming that the government will eventually pay could bankrupt an optician, whose suppliers, employees, landlords, etc. will not wait that long. How will the optician pay the bills during the “year of hope”? What will the government do for him when he is bankrupt? Does the government have any idea how to run a business? No wonder there are cost overruns in all the major projects! When a real business experiences cost overruns or delinquent accounts payable, there are no taxpayers to make up the deficit!
December 14, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I don’t judge people for the “financial toll of Christmas”, since one of my friends works by the hour, so when her workplace shuts down for the holidays, she doesn’t get paid.
Most children prefer Christmas presents to glasses and schoolwork.
December 14, 2007 at 6:47 pm
It is a pity Wishin in Vain that you were given information by the PA of the Deputy PM that only served to decapitate you politically. You have not benefited from that information. In fact your political demise has now been sealed as a direct result of that information. The plan seemed to have worked.
The next time someone feeds you so-called inside information you should have it verified. It is sad the Mia’s PA gave you information which MIA herself used to hang you with. You turn out to be the idiot you really are in this exercise.
Better luck next time if you have a next time.
December 14, 2007 at 6:59 pm
If I did not say it before let me say it now. I have my doubts as to the truthfulness of the letter in the Nation News Paper highlighting the case with the school child not getting its spectacles. It smells “thompyhenrynationy”.
December 14, 2007 at 7:47 pm
“Clearly these companies that have refused to supply these children with their glasses because they are owed money by Government, says more about them than it does about Government. ”
___________________________________
Please explain what you mean by this comment, RR. Are you saying that a private company, that probably has an overdraft with the bank, has to pay their supplier on time to stay in business, and whose overdraft is probably secured by the bank holding security on the owner’s private residence, is to give out their product on the prospect of funds being voted?! Do you know that many have previously found that to be the sure way to financial ruin? If funds are to be voted, then let the ministry responsible supply the company with a written IOU.
December 14, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Is the BFP writer suggesting that the eye sight of the child will be sacrificed for the financial toll of Christmas.
If ever there was an asinine statement/quote that one will take the cake for 2007.
The Government has fallen short and bajans have allowed that to happen because everyone wanted a handout. Hue and Cry has only started because the gravy train only let on a few riders.
Forget the turkey and ham and buy the spectacles for the child do.
December 15, 2007 at 2:20 am
You know what sickens me?
Its just how judgmental commentators can be!
None of us know the circumstances of this little boy and yet ‘all and sundry’ are decrying his family and calling them scroungers and questioning their priorities at this time of year.
The hype surrounding Christmas puts a financial strain on most families.
Not all Bajans have credit cards or savings accounts! Plenty live from pay-check to pay-check!
These are the very families that schemes like these are set up for!
Maybe the parents would rather spend $50 on a Digicell phone credit than put money aside just in case a kid breaks their glasses, but who are we to judge this!! We all have screwed up priorities at times in our lives.
As Barbados develops it is essential that schemes like this remain in place to allow equal access for all to the essentials of life, such as the ability to benefit from a good education.
Charity is NOT the answer it only perpetuates a poor system. Arrangements must be made to achieve a sustainable service, so leave the old glasses in the back of the drawer and get off the phone with Aunty Olga JUST give your MP a call and register your displeasure!!!!!!!
That people is DEMOCRACY!
December 15, 2007 at 3:03 am
RR
“better luck next time if you have a next time.”
Can we assume this is the usual threat of intimidation and vitictimization that the BLP uses to discuss important issues?
The sooner you are out of power, the better for everyone.
December 15, 2007 at 5:40 am
RR, you are clearly a confused man. I distinctly saw with my own eyes the documents David Thompson revealed to the public. If they are false, wy not take action against him under the Parliamentary Privileges and Immunities Act which deals with false documents presented to the House?
As far as I can see – and heard from Mascoll – all of the documents are authentic. He said so himself – that a file was missing! So your argument is silly.
It is the BLP that has been found wanting in this matter.
December 15, 2007 at 12:01 pm
The child needs care attention and if there was a means that I could do something for this child of my own will I would do so.
It is sad when the gov’t can waste $ 750 million on projects that reroute financial gains back to accounts of a few in the party and the close inner circle but cannot provide the cost of a pair of glasses for a citizen of this island, this is as about as disgraceful as any admistration can reach in its level of goverance.
Even the most ruthless dictator would be a little more soft hearted that to allow this to happen to the poor fellowman, then we have the ARROGANT OWING that refuses to accept that the people have needs and it is his job to take care of those needs.
December 15, 2007 at 9:04 pm
This is indeed a sad situation when one considers that our government is shouting to everyone who will listen, that they are a first world nation, or striving to achieve first world status. In my opinion, any first world nation puts the needs of it’s people first, not fancy infrastructure, not pie in the sky projects to correct plain-and-simple mismanagement.
What is even more despicable is the government supporters and apologists who seek to politicise the issue and make ridiculous suggestions about it’s veracity. What you should seek to do is look for ways to correct these issues so that they never see the light of day, not frustrate, bully and threaten the people who are bold enough to stand up and ask questions, highlight the mistakes when and where they are made, and hold those in power responsible for correcting it.
I am deeply saddened by the behaviour of our elected officials from both sides of the divide – treating the nation and it’s people like footballs, kicking them around for their own personal gain.
December 15, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Surely you jest in implying the government should supply school children with glasses?
What about all the charitable organisations that exist in Barbados? Rotary, Kiwanis hundreds of churches etc?
Government gets in money from its citizens so imploring government to spend more and more only comes out of your pocket any way.
How about this. I’ll send the frames from some old glasses I have and you guys can fit the lenses?
Or, why not each one of us that have commented donate a dollar toward a new pair of glasses?
Helping each other is the key.
Let’s get our governments in the region off our backs!