Tired of ‘false promises’

AMOOTHA Soobben feels hurt by numerous promises for proper housing.

Standing in the bedroom of her tin house with her arms folded, her face is filled with sadness as she talks about her hardships.

“I have been living in these conditions all my life and every time a government official visits our community, we are given false promises.

“We were given electricity and water but what I need is proper sanitation and housing. But we wait. We have been waiting for years,” she said, while shaking her head.

The grandmother of nine lives with her husband, Prathaben, a mechanic.

Their five children also live in the community but in their own tin homes. “My tin house is falling apart,” she said.

“When the family next to me washes their yard or gives their dog a bath, all the dirty water comes rushing into my home.

“There are sewer pipes that are leaking and giving off a bad smell.

“When it rains, the water leaks through the roof. The tin is eroding because of the water and sand from outside is seeping into the house.”

Soobben, 54, said the conditions were detrimental to their health.

“We have had councillors and even a welfare organisation come through and visit our community.

“But nothing seems to be done. I feel like we are forgotten by the government.”