If one tries to study the community of Windsor Heights with a view of trying to pass an exam on uniformity, one might fail. Dismally.

The community is a paradox of sorts. It has paved main roads, but adjoining lanes would make Edmund J. DeSmedt, the first man to lay a true asphalt pavement, ashamed.

Otherwise, there are glamorous two-storey homes but, in other instances, board houses unfit for human habitation jut out from the hillside.

These wide-ranging living conditions are some of the things which irk Windsor Heights residents.

Carol Thompson, president of the Zambia Senior Citizens' Association, says roads in her section of the community are a huge problem.

"We would like to see the roads, because when it rains, we don't have any roads to walk on, like when children going to school or people going to work, people have to tie scandal bags on their feet to walk," she said.

Thompson adds that taxi operators often resist plying that section of Windsor Heights because of access problems.

A harsh hand

Millard Anderson, president of the Zambia Citizens' Association, believes his enclave has been dealt a harsh hand.

He says Zambia needs adequate electricity, roads, a proper community centre and more job opportunities for youths.

The community centre that exists now is located on a field in the area. It has a two-foot concrete base, no doors, no windows, practically no exterior, just a roof and four corners.

Anderson wants it to become retrofitted and fully equipped to provide safe shelter during natural disasters or other emergencies.

In the wider community of Windsor Heights, residents are also contemplating plans on improving the community centre. The centre is currently used by the youth club to host Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate classes and remedial programmes. Plans are also under way for the installation of a dance and audio studio.

Funding a pitfalls

Member of Parliament Sharon Hay-Webster said construction of the dance studio is in the pipeline. Funding, however, is a major drawback.

Hay-Webster also said she wants to develop the community centre environs into a multi-purpose facility for youth practice and training.

Gillian Forbes, president of the youth club, told The Gleaner that the development of the centre would go a far way in building on the achievements fostered within the community.

"The centre is currently being used for people with reading challenges and those who are preparing for CXC. Good can still come from Windsor Heights despite all the negatives. We have good CXC marks because LASCO had this CAPE awards programme and most of the nominees were from Windsor Heights," she said.

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com

A CLICK AWAY

Floyd Young is the operator of a bicycle taxi in Windsor Heights. The vehicle has four wheels, patio seats and a steel frame. The professional welder did the project as a way to earn money on the side as well as provide recreation for children of the community.