Woman anxious to get house rebuilt after Tomas

Susan Isaacs is willing go into a shelter, if it means she will receive assistance to fix her home.{{more}}

The Sharpes Village, Chateaubelair, resident, whose home was damaged during the October 30th passage of Hurricane Tomas, said that she believes that she has been forgotten, since nothing has been done about her situation since then.

“Anywhere they put me, just for them to remember me, I will go, because every time I go to Chateaubelair is like my pressure go up.”

Isaacs related that during the hurricane a huge boulder crashed into her home. Instead of going to a shelter, she and her three children sought refuge in cramped confines of her grandfather’s home, she lamented.

“It’s a one-room bedroom in that downstairs. It’s very jam up with a little living room. I have to make it my kitchen and living room.”

The Corea’s Mini Mart employee says that over the months she has been visiting the offices of the National Emergency Management Organization and the Housing and Land Corporation but to no avail.

She said that she was told by officials if she could acquire some lands, she would receive assistance in rebuilding.

According to Isaacs, she has received lands from her stepfather to build, but still has received no assistance.

General Manager of the HLDC Morris Slater, speaking to Searchlight on the matter, said that he is well aware of Isaacs situation, and that his organisation is working in her interest as well as the interest of all others affected by the hurricane.

“We are going through this process in three phases. Miss Isaacs happens to be in phase three.”

According to Slater, phase one includes the assitance of persons who had been evacuated to shelters, where there was the need for huge renovations, or in many cases the construction of new homes.

Phase two, he said, covers the distribution of basic material and repairs to homes that were damaged but were still able to be occupied.

The third phase includes repairs to homes of persons who had moved in with their families.

“So because Miss Isaacs is residing with her relatives, we are helping those who are otherwise displaced. She is secure with her family. she is just uncomfortable,” said Slater.

The HLDC General Manager also acknowledged that he was aware that Isaacs had secured some lands, and noted that it is his intention to do what he can to assist her in the construction of a home.

“We are even seeking outside help to get persons in their homes or new ones. We need another $41 million if we are to repair and rehouse all those who were affected by Hurricane Tomas, and we hope to help them all.”

Currently, there are just over 30 persons still in shelters around St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Isaacs says that the waiting and the delay is getting her frustrated and she would do what ever is necessary to get the ball rolling.

“All I need is a help to build back my home.

“Where I am staying, I could see my house from there. So as soon as I wake up I would go up there… It’s just like I keep studying my house. I can’t afford to make pressure kill me and leave my children on the street.”