In addition to raising roosters for more than half a century, Guillermo Berrick owns a large portion of the island’s land, as well as one of the aquariums, a hostel, the busiest shops and establishments on the neighboring islands, and six apartments in Cartagena.
In a space like Santa Cruz, whoever has land is king. Guillermo Berrick is one of them. He owns the land that houses the school, the hospital, the solar panels that power the island, the only local church, a Protestant community and the water reservoir.
I have been investing and building on the island for over 40 years. I haven’t finished the work yet. I did everything by collecting rocks, shells, trash and sand.
It’s 10 p.m. and the streets are full of people. The nighttime atmosphere in Santa Cruz del Islote is always festive. Some watch TV indoors or outdoors.
Children swipe their fingers across cell phone screens or play cops and robbers. Babies jump from lap to lap, the bar is full of men, rum and beer.
Until 10 years ago, the island lived with only 4 to 5 hours of electricity per day. The installation of solar panels ensures energy supply between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., when there is a short break. Then the diesel engine runs from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
A lady approaches the central square, holds a poster in her hand and sticks it on the school wall. A crowd forms around the paper and the place begins to vibrate. The names of those who owe the monthly electricity bill are listed there. The notice states that the electricity will be turned off the next day if payment is not made.
A small procession reaches the entrance of the island, the residence and office of Rocío de Hoyos, the community leader and responsible for controlling electricity bills.
“I have managed the island’s electricity for over fifteen years and have never been paid for this service. When I came back from Cartagena and realized how many people had no electricity, I met with the community and started to organize the problem.” I bought the filters and the oil.
Solar panels have changed everything. Currently, Islote has 20 hours of light every day. “People eat better because they have a refrigerator, they expand their knowledge of the world through television, cell phones, computers. Everything has changed for the better.”
The monthly bill is about R$50.