Christmas project putting money in pockets

Christmas preparations across sections of the Corporate Area are creating much-needed work for several residents, who have jumped at the chance to clean, paint and brighten public spaces ahead of the holiday rush.

"We a stop bout the 17th and we started from December 2. We start the work early so by the time Christmas kick in, the place pretty," one woman said as she carefully added another coat of yellow along Church Street in Kingston.

For many of the workers, the seasonal cleanup by the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation isn't just a job, it's a tradition that brings back childhood memories and sets the stage for the festive spirit.

"The whole town ago pretty when we done. After this we a go straight a Heroes Circle. We start work from 8:30 every day 'cause we a make sure it get done in time and put the people in a Christmas mood," said Derue Burton.

Burton, who has been doing Christmas cleanups for years, said the whitewash tradition has faded, but still carries meaning for those who remember its glory days.

"Back inna the day when we a pickney, a white wash run di place. But you hardly a see that a gwaan now. When you see white wash dem time deh you start get excited cause Christmas a come and the place haffi nice," he recalled.

Others told THE STAR that the little seasonal income goes a far way, especially since times are tough.

"A every year mi do this when December come round and get a Christmas money, although Christmas mash up fi me because my mother nuh have no house a Westmoreland," said a woman who identified herself as Sandra.

"She a stay wid mi siblings but her house mash up and she nuh save nothing. She a 85. People help me and I get clothes for her and mi carry food stuff," she said.

Despite their struggles, they say taking part in making the community look its best for the holidays fills them with pride.

"Mi love fi see when the place clean and pretty. When the light dem go up and people a pass by, them can see say work do round the place. Mi a get pay but mi like do this differently because it mek my community look good," another woman said.

While being tight-lipped about the specifics of their employment, but THE STAR understands that each labourer will receive approximately $56,000 for 16 days of work.

"It's a good Christmas project and I'm glad it give we a way fi earn some money differently. And you have different projects weh focus pon communities specific, so the place will look good," Sandra said.