Flood victims get appliances, mattresses and gas cylinders

Acknowledging that the return to a normal life is a slow and steady process, a number of flood victims who were presented with fridges and stoves last weekend said that getting these appliances is a step in the right direction.{{more}}

The residents of Buccament Bay, who lost these and other appliances, expressed gratitude to all who contributed, especially ‘mystery’ donor Dennis O’Brien, the principal shareholder and chairman of mobile service provider Digicel.

Senator Julian Francis, who is coordinating the replacement of the appliances, mattresses and gas cylinders, named O’Brien during Friday’s presentation, as he asked those gathered at the compound of the Buccament Bay Seventh Day Adventist School, to show appreciation to Digicel, represented at the distribution by country manager Sean Lattey, marketing manager Juno Deroche and marketing executive Justin John.

With just their signatures and able assistance to remove the items from the yard, more than 60 people were once again owners of brand new domestic appliances, replacing those which exactly one month before, were destroyed by rains and flooding during the Christmas Eve disaster.

“I feel good about the stove, because I don’t know how we woulda get a new one,” said one relieved resident, identified as “Kimba” as he waited patiently for the refrigerator that was not yet on the site.

The young family man, like the others, was looking forward to using his new products for the first time, after a month of challenges that he described as ‘rough’.

“Because the water mash up everything in the house, we had to clean up and we gone back in we home,” he told journalists.

“I’m very happy. I’m very excited,” Renrick Quashie told Searchlight.

This is not Quashie’s first experience with flooding in his home, and while he and his family have taken up temporary residence in a different part of Buccament Bay, he said there are some things that must be taken into account before returning to his home, located in the river’s path.

“There are some other plans in place that we are considering before we move back…we are renting a house in Buccament. ‘The month has been rough and challenging, but thank God that we have life still and we would be able to get the strength to start over again,” Quashie noted.

Another individual who has settled back in her home, and came to collect her appliances is “Janice” who indicated that she is grateful for the items.

“I am so thankful for these things, they come in really handy. I am going to bake in the morning, because I am so grateful.”

The process of distributing the appliances, mattresses and gas cylinders is expected to be repeated approximately five more times before all those assessed to have lost these items are compensated.

Francis, the head of the distribution committee, indicated that the items were supplied by Singer, Finishing and Furnishing and Rubis, while in an earlier press conference Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves pointed out that other local traders are expected to be involved in the distribution process.

Gonsalves, who turned up at the distribution exercise said that he too, shared the excitement of the villagers.

“I feel good but there is a lot of work to be done,” he told reporters.

“It’s a lot of work…. It’s happening.

“We are making progress but because so many people are still suffering and pained and anguished, this is not going to be an overnight business,” he said.