The road leading to Bamboo Square.

Heavy rains pelted the island recently causing flooding in St Ann. However, Bamboo district was spared the worst compared to other communities.

Nonetheless, the heavy rains were a welcome blessing for the residents as it is their only means of getting water. The commodity is not piped there. Town folks said farming was their main form of subsistence and they depend on rainfall to fill tanks.

Bamboo, formerly known as Excellence Town, according to Wikipedia, had a population of 3,732 in 1991. Residents said this figure has climbed tremendously. There are two schools, a basic school and the Bamboo Primary and Junior High. There is also the Hill Top Correctional Centre that houses juveniles.

In Bamboo Square, residents welcomed THE STAR. A woman said, "Welcome to Bamboo ... is who this Star or Gleaner? Welcome!"

running water is lacking

She later revealed: "Bamboo pretty decent, enuh. As you can see, we have our police station, post office, grocery stores but for markets and stuff life that, we have to travel to Claremont or Brown's Town. My only issue still is that running water is lacking."

Inside Buckwild Sports Bar, one of many taverns in the area, Christopher Senior eagerly give his take on his community. "We need running water and opportunities around here mi bredrin. Bamboo full of tilers, plumbers, electricians and teachers, we just want the chance to do tings. In relation to crime, we nuh really see much of that, the police and Bamboo citizens dem good. As a matter of fact, the community people act as our own police."

Senior said the playing field needs fixing so children can have a play area and form more clubs. "The clubs dem bout di place too up and down when dem ready," he expressed.

A lady nearby said at this time of the year, many residents are looking forward to the annual Miss Bamboo competition that is sponsored by the business community.

The barmaid quickly reiterated the water woe sentiments. She said, "Water is the biggest issue, thank God for the heavy rains that fall weekend gone. Me nuh born, come see running water inna pipe enuh. We need an ATM machine as well and a pharmacy cause we have to travel to St Ann's Bay or Brown's Town."

Maud Campbell, a senior resident, gave her experience of life in Bamboo. "Life hard and tough, so you have to work hard for a living. Mi sell a little slippers and drops. Dem call mi the drops lady around here! Other people farm all sort of crops. If you nuh do farming, yuh dead fi hungry."

Commenting on crime, a resident said: "Crime and violence is under control. A only the schoolchildren give likkle trouble and some minor praedial larsonist. Dem will tek yuh cow and kill it."

Younger residents said its not easy for them in the community. Trudy Wishart, 20, and her sister Sherida, 18, said there is nothing to attract young people. Their friend Conette Paris, 19, agreed, saying: "You know we can do housekeeping, cosmetology, waitressing and bartending and other things. We need more things here to keep the place vibrant, all we do is watch tv and play bingo or cricket on Sundays."

Dr Dayton Campbell, member of parliament for North West St Ann, where Bamboo falls, is all too familiar with the residents' plight.

"I am aware of the issues and have narrowed them down to five central concerns. These are proper roads and potable water, unemployment, educational facility, health care and skills training," Dr Campbell, who is originally from the community, said. "We have a patching programme coming for Bamboo. There was a well that was dug up in Green Pond, so we trying to get an estimate to get that up and running. As it relates to education, the home work programme is about to get started as we are awaiting a list from the principals to have an idea of the number of students interested."

Campbell operates a mobile clinic in the area and a skills training programme begins January. Bushing and drain cleaning to prevent flooding is being conducted.

Children walk home from the Bamoo Primary and Junior High.

Residents of Free Hill district in Bamboo, show where and how they get water as the commodity is not piped to the community.

Maud Campbell sits at her stalls where she sells mostly coconut drops and grater cake.

A handcart man passes the police station located in the town's square. - Ian Allen photos