Students of Whitfield Town All-Age School eagerly converge on a NWC water truck which delivers water to their school in South West St. Andrew, once per week. - Photo by Andrea Downer

Andrea Downer, Gleaner Writer

Whitfield Town, bordered by Maxfield Avenue and Waltham Park Road, is a densely populated community in South West St. Andrew, a People's National Party stronghold and part of Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller's constituency. Yards peppered with multiple dwellings, are home to several generations. And as is the norm in inner-city communities, the occupants of the brightly coloured houses, more often than not, can be found sitting at their gates, eyes keen, postures relaxed, while engaged in animated conversation.

As is typical of such com-munities, political loyalties run deep, and for Whitfield Town it is no different. For years, the residents of Whitfield Town have been suffering from a lack of water in their pipes. It is a problem that has embarrassing implications, and causes them severe discomfort and inconvenience. Yet the residents, some of whom have lived in the community all their lives, are afraid to speak openly about the problem.

When the question is raised, bodies become tense; eyes lose.