PARAMARIBO – A group of people who applied for the purchasing power boost in April and May 2023 recently complained that they still have not received any money. “I still haven’t received the purchasing power boost even though I applied for it last year,” said Saskia Amelo. She is puzzled by the fact that the minister of Social Affairs and Housing (Sozavo) does not even bother to explain why many people still have not received this financial aid. Amelo explained that she clicked on a link on Facebook to apply for the aid. She knows at least five other people who also applied for the aid and who have already received their money. “I have waited for over a year and I still haven’t received anything. I must honestly say that I have lost hope,” said Amelo. Another concerned citizen claimed that she found out that there is no material to produce the Moni Karta. “If there is no material for the Moni Karta, they can’t give people any money. Many people including myself were counting on the extra SRD 1,800 but we never got it. I wonder if some people are once again tapping into these funds to become richer while others who need it urgently do not get a single cent,” said the woman. “Life is getting more unbearable every day but I do not sit around doing nothing. I have a steady job but I also raised chickens and plant vegetables so that I can reduced my expenses and send my children to school,” said Marlon Goodings who claimed that he knows many people who do not need welfare but who were granted a Moni Karta as a result of their connections. …[+]