Prime Minister Gaston Browne delivered a poignant eulogy reflecting on the harsh realities of his childhood, highlighting the resilience and values instilled by his mother.
“The scars of our poverty were manifestly evident in the deplorable, dilapidated condition of our home,” Browne began, vividly painting a picture of a house with broken windows, no furnishings, electricity, or piped water. The scarcity of food and clothing was evident, as well as the impact on their physical health. “The second son who stands before you today was hosti with malnutrition, which stunted my early growth to the extent that I only started to walk at age four,” he recalled.
Browne reminisced about the humble breakfasts, “a loaf of bread with a little margarine, if there was any,” shared among his mother and her three children every morning. Despite their dire situation, his mother never resorted to stealing, even though she could have easily justified it due to her mental illness. “She taught us to be honest and contented,” he said, values that he and his sister Blondelle carried into their adult lives.
“That is why today, nothing material means anything to me. I will earn and consume them, but they mean nothing to me,” Browne asserted. Growing up among the poorest of the poor, they were undeterred by their deprivations. An overarching state of peace, happiness, and contentment masked the gravity of their hardships. “In fact, at the time, we did not recognize how destitute we were.”
Browne expressed gratitude for the community members who recognized their struggle and extended a helping hand during that vulnerable period, even though they had to work for the assistance. “Today, the work we did as children would be considered child labor,” he noted. However, these experiences taught them the value of hard work and survival skills.
Blondelle became a domestic assistant to the late teacher Bell, who provided her with meals, while Browne became the community errand boy, performing various chores to earn a piece of bread or a few cents. “I would use a quarter, 25 cents, to purchase half a bread and butter and happily devour it, washing it down with copious amounts of water from the public standpipe,” he shared.
Sometimes, their meals consisted of mangoes, plums, or guavas from their neighbors’ trees. “We were very contented children. It didn’t take much to satisfy us,” he said. In the absence of food, they would settle for “a little wind pie and some pipe water,” with the public standpipe being a constant in their lives.
“Occasionally, when things were good, we would upgrade to a little grabage or sugar water,” he added, using these insights into his upbringing as a source of inspiration for others.
Browne’s heartfelt eulogy not only honored his late mother but also served as a testament to the strength and resilience of those who endure poverty with dignity and grace.
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Gaston look at the country you govern ….take a walk through the East and West bus stations, take a walk through Gray’s Farm, up Market Street, drive up All Saints Road, tell us you’re proud of what you see
Well said SIKES.The eulogy seems like an ELECTION CAMPAIGN seeking empathy.He did not mention about the 30 MILLION DOLLARS in NET asset he is worth.FACT CHECK ANR OCT 2019.What about LIAT 1974 LTD workers and other ANTIGUAN CITIZENS?Who are suffering in dire needs have no money to buy Food,feed their families,pay medical bills,have lost their homes,unable to pay rent and are living HAND TO MOUTH.They are experiencing the same MISFORTUNES you have experienced G.B.Such harsh conditions would drive one into MENTAL ILLNESS.G.B you do not have the TESTICULAR FORTITUDE to summoned the 3 shareholding governments namely BARBADOS 51% SHAREHOLDING EQUITY,STVINCENT and DOMINICA17%TOTAL SHAREHOLDING EQUITY,to contribute to the TOTAL SEVERANCE BILL.Instead you are COLLABORATING with the 3 shareholding GOVERNMENTS to ABUSE and DISCRIMATE ITS CITIZENS.I Guess you are RECIPROCATING what you have experienced in your life to us.We are innocent.You claim that
the GOVERNMENT OF ANTIGUA is responsible for 32% of the severance bill and the CITIZENS must go to the 3 SHAREHOLDING GOVERNMENTS and collect the remaining 68% SEVERANCE.What kind of LEADERSHIP is that? There are BAJANS based in ANTIGUA still living there who received 100% of SEVERANCE FROM THE BARBADOS GOVERNMENT (DISCRIMINATION ) V.C BIRD MUST BE ROLLING IN HIS GRAVE.
G.B we are looking for the same WEALTH and LIFESTYLLE you have acquired so far, for our CHILDREN AND FAMILY.Why are you Denying us?As a head CIVIL SERVANTyou are there to SERVE not to be SERVED.PAY US OUR SEVERANCE.
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