As we watch the news of a world in chaos, we are left to wonder when will it get better?
The war between Russia and Ukraine continues, disrupting and destroying lives. Supply chain disruptions and inflation seem to be at an all-time high resulting in cost of living increases. Rising temperatures as a result of global warming are causing heatwaves across the UK and Europe resulting in loss of lives, flight cancellations due to melting airport runways and loss of property from wildfires.
As the Covid-19 pandemic seems to be winding down, Monkey Pox has made its way to the Caribbean while the Marburg virus (which shares similarities with the deadly Ebola virus) has been detected in Africa.
In our neighbouring Overseas Territories, the BVI is going through a challenging period after the arrest in the US of its now former Premier Fahie on drug trafficking and money-laundering charges, no doubt putting all Overseas Territories under closer scrutiny by the UK Government. Meanwhile, the UK Government itself led by Prime Minister Boris Johnson is in shambles after widespread resignations ending with the Prime Minister’s own resignation.
Right here in Anguilla we are still coming to terms with the political discord evident in the ruling administration, the upheaval caused by the implementation of the GST and the most recent adjournment of the House of Assembly due to the lack of a quorum. While trying to figure out what this all means for the efficient functioning of Government, we are confronted with the issue of water and electricity supply.
To the blind man it is plain to see that the Water Corporation and the Anguilla Electricity Company will collapse if something isn’t done urgently to address their financial situations. To have the electricity company turn off the supply of electricity to the water authority, is no joking matter. From all accounts both entities are having great difficulty meeting their financial obligations. It is embarrassing to think that fifty five years after the Anguilla Revolution we are still struggling with the issues of running water and electricity supply.
With everything that is happening around us locally, regionally and internationally, it is difficult to be optimistic about the future. For us of the older generation, our best days are already behind us, but what about the generations behind us – those yet to finish school, go to college, enter the workforce, own a business, build or buy a home, fulfil their dreams, make their mark in the world – what about them? I wonder if they feel the level of excitement and optimism about their future as we did about ours even though we grew up in an impoverished Anguilla. We always knew better days would come. However, for young people it must seem like we are in a never ending cycle of challenges and chaos – war, the effects of global warming, health crises, natural disasters, rising prices and political upheaval. It must seem like their lives are interrupted or punctuated by one crisis after another, and there is no end in sight.
I urge our young people to have hope. As older persons used to say “This too shall pass”. Challenges can’t last forever but they do build resilience and patience in persons who have to endure them. While we are going through some tumultuous years, as a mainly Christian society we are assured that better days are ahead. We can therefore look forward to a sense of normalcy returning to our daily lives – and a world in which our youth can fulfil their dreams.
