Sunday 1 June 2014

Village Saramaca - "This is the ghetto, nobody comes here"



This article is translated from a feature published 15/02/2013 in France Guyane, "C'est le ghetto, personne ne met les pieds ici". It's about the Village Saramaca in Kourou, French Guiana - the second town, location of the European Space Centre. What I liked about this article is that it voices the experiences of young Saramaca from the Village. I tried to keep to the spirit of the original text whilst translating, as closely as possible.


(image from Libi Na Wan, a cultural organisaton)


Disou, Anthony, Agassi Roni and Martin are sat together, as every midday.  Chatting and watching girls walk past, sunglasses, baseball caps, bling. Their look is flawless – but don’t be deceived.
“ What do we do? We hang out... chat up girls...watch time pass...
We left school a while ago and we can’t find work. We’ve got qualifications: electrician, plumber, mechanic...But no-one wants us. Soon as you say you come from the village, people are frightened. We have a bad reputation everywhere, not just in Kourou. People think we’re delinquents, dangerous people. No-one comes round here. It’s the ghetto”.

 Not even the police; they claim. The result: a feeling of impunity that gets stronger by the day.  With social exclusion, it’s an explosive cocktail.
The Village Saramaca feels like it a ticking bomb.
“and wait for the next generation. The younger ones, 13, 15 and 18 year olds, they’re really angry. One day it’ll go off” announces Agassi Ronny.
“we’ve had enough of all this” interjects Martin, from behind.
He’s the youngest of the group at 19, and shares the same struggles.
“soon as something bad happens in Kourou, they point the finger at us -it must’ve been a villager who did it. It pisses us off. We’re like everybody else. We deserve respect.”

This is their day-to-day: uncertain future, dark present.
“We have to get money somehow. We have to survive. Feed our kids. So we do little jobs, cash in hand, when we can” Explains the eldest, 26.
“sometimes, yes, we break the law” mentions the guy sat next to him. Robbery, smuggling, they confess half heartedly.
“Anyway, we get accused of everything, so...”
“You know, waking up in the morning with empty pockets, that sucks” justifies Martin, defeatist.
“When we were younger, at school, Saramaca was an insult”, shares another, 25 years old. They called us “dirty Saramaca”. Today that word frightens people.”
Dreams of Power
Agassi Ronny voices his frustration
“It wasn’t always like this. Saramaca people built this town. And the space centre. Without us, there’d be nothing here. We’re hard workers – but we’ve been sidelined in favour of other communities.  It’s unfair!”
 He continues
“The history of our people is tied to that of French Guiana. Some even fought for France. But we no longer have any rights in this country.
 We’re ready to work. We have projects. Myself, for example, I wanted to start a grill restaurant – but I don’t have the means to, and no-one’s prepared to help”.

The young generation dream of power.
“We represent 40% of Kourou’s population –and yet it’s a minority who rule over a majority. Things will have to go the other way one day..”

http://www.franceguyane.fr/actualite/vielocale/c-est-le-ghetto-personne-ne-met-les-pieds-ici-152790.php

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