Overland family finds some peace

Two years ago Vincentian born Pamela DaSouza of Overland was brutally killed in the neighbouring island of Barbados. But though the void that her loss has left in her children’s lives may take years to be filled, today they are experiencing some degree of closure.

Noel Ricardo Spencer, who viciously stabbed her to death on August 17, 2003, was sentenced to nine years on Tuesday, July 26, 2005, after pleading guilty to manslaughter.{{more}}

Ironically, while Spencer was being sentenced, members of the Living Room Church Ministries of Barbados who spearheaded a project to construct a home for Pamela’s four children in St.Vincent and the Grenadines (Overland) -Natasha, 13, Natesha, 11, Courtney, 7 and Chevonna, 6 – were making preparations to travel to St.Vincent and the Grenadines to close the project and bless the new home.

On Thursday, July 28, the Living Room Church Ministries team of David Clarke, Michelle Edwards – head of the Compassion in Action Ministry and her husband Phillip Edwards arrived in St.Vincent and the Grenadines loaded with gifts for the children. The party was joined by Joanne Veira, wife of Oswald Veira of General & Maritime Agencies Limited, who played a very integral role in contributing and overseeing funds to build the new wall structure for the DaSouzas and Millie and Clint Hazell of HazECO Tours who provided transport to Overland on Thursday.

Over EC$500 was presented to the DaSouza children along with toys and clothes. But this time children in the neighbourhood were not left out, some 35 children were given food baskets.

“It’s a regional effort between two countries. I never knew that Noel was being sentenced. So it’s closure to the situation and in effect closure to this project.”

“We will continue to do the finishing of the furnishings. I was so glad to see the house. My heart was very glad to see what has been accomplished,” said Michelle.

She added that the Living Room Church Ministries, a cell-based Christian organisation in Barbados, is now planning to start another project somewhere in the Caribbean.

“We are not looking for gain. We are just helping. The Lord has given us to help others in need,” Clarke stated.

Meanwhile, Vetoreene DaSouza, mother of Pamela, has expressed dissatisfaction with the sentencing that was handed down to her daughter’s killer.

“I am not pleased with it. He willfully killed my daughter. I had preferred a life sentence,” DaSouza lamented.

“I cried a lot when I heard the news,” said DaSouza who had recently come from the Georgetown Hospital after spending a month there.