Chronic drainage problems in developing areas across the city mean that when it rains, the water has nowhere to go. The drainage problems are most pronounced in the new communities on the periphery of the Belama area on the north side, and on the periphery of the Port Loyola, Collet, and Lake Independence areas on the south side. But the residents at the end of Antelope Street Extension say their problem is far worse than just drainage: a street that was flooded last year is now a small lake, and today the residents of this place they call Water World told us that it is making them sick.
Keith Swift Reporting,
It used to be a street...but this is what children in the Antelope Street Extension area now have to walk through every day - muddy water which reaches some at their knees. For the trek - the children take off their shoes and then walk through the mud with bare feet. The only way to avoid it is this private yard which is most of the times - locked. Evin Pena is the father of a 7 and an eleven-year-old child.
Evin Pena, Resident
"All the kids can't go to school because it so much water and they miss too much school."
Keith Swift,
So to leave and return home they have to walk through the water?
Evin Pena,
"Through the water, on this side and on the next side at the back. So they can't go to school sometimes."
Keith Swift,
You have children?
Evin Pena,
"Yes I have two kids."
Keith Swift,
Sometimes they don't go to school because of that?
Evin Pena,
"Yes because it was deeper than that and so when it dried off, it started to go down but I have to back (carry) them out to school. But sometimes I go early to work and so they can't go to school because there too much water."
But more than just an inconvenience - the situation here on antelope street extension is also a public health issue. Children back here are plagued by colds, flu, and even fungus. The doctors says the spots around Joseph Sanchez's eyes and on his hand and elbows are fungus growths. He's had them for a while now. Medication doesn't work and his mother Virginia Arzu says it is because of the water her 11-year-old son has to walk through everyday.
Virginia Arzu, Area Resident
"My little boy has had the fungus for a long time because of the water on the street that hasn't been fixed. I want Musa to come fix the street. I want them to fix the street because a lot of kids are getting sick from the water."
Keith Swift,
[To Joseph] So you left from your house in uniform and you have to take off your shoes as soon as you leave?
Joseph Sanchez,
"Yes, right here. When I come from home I take off the shoes and I go and put it on over there."
And along with making these kids sick - it is keeping them from school. 13-year-old Jeni Giron isn't sure she'll be able to return to her standard five class at Ephesus Seventh Day Adventist School on Monday. She is battling a cold and says that everyday to get out of the area she has to trek through the large puddles of muddy water.
Jeni Giron, Area Resident
"Sometimes we have to walk through this but sometimes when we walk through the water, every time, like me, when I go to school, like every time I feel sick like I have...when I pass through water I feel sick. Like right now I am sick. I think I will feel better when I go to school on Monday. But if I don't feel better to go to school Monday, I will go to school on Monday."
Today Belize Electricity Limited began installing lampposts in the area. They didn't get far through because of the water. These residents say they want their street back. With 60 children in the community - that is 60 reasons for them to get it.
As we noted, there are 60 children living in the area. Most of the adults are naturalized Belizeans but the majority of their kids were born in Belize.
