Bad roads take toll on donkey

Sixty-one-year-old Sidney Morgan regularly cruises through various St Thomas communities on his donkey. The small farmer had depended on his donkey, which he refers to as his "jeep," to take him around for the last four years. But with the roadways in Windsor Forest, where he lives, and the adjoining Richmond Vale and Ramble being in poor condition, Morgan said that has been forced to 'park' his donkey at home many times, and this exposes the animal to thieves.

"Him help me out big time. Him shoulda a carry me down the road now, but the road too bad," Morgan told THE WEEKEND STAR.

The roads in the communities often traversed by Morgan are in extremely bad condition, so much so that motorists dread using them. Potholes and open trenches are common features of the rugged roadways. Ironically, Morgan has no difficulty taking his 'jeep' to the rough hillsides, where he farms.

"The road is a real problem. When me go 'round all Richmond Vale, me affi leave him and walk go up. Him caah go up deh because the road mash up ... .Him bring me up inna some hills weh nuff other vehicle caah go, so that show anybody seh the road is a big problem," Morgan said.

"Him caah bring me to me full destination no more. Now, him can only bring me to point A or point B, and that is serious," he added.

In addition to bad roads, Morgan has another things to worry about - praedial thieves.

"Dem will teef him. Me did have a donkey already, and a man just take up me donkey and go wid him. Me did tie him up and leff him a me yard. So dem tings deh will happen and me nuh wah dem thief dis one, so me nuh like leave him behind," the farmer said.

Morgan says the donkey is an investment he cannot afford to lose.

"I have plans for him. Apart from the travel help, me need him. I am a farmer, enuh. I plant coffee, banana, you name it. Right now, I am coming from the farm with him. He is a good extra hand."