New Appliances and Cash for Fire Victims

A happier new year certainly rang true for three North Leeward families whose homes and other worldly belongings were destroyed in separate fires last year.{{more}}

Last Friday, the families collected brand new stoves, refrigerators and $1,500 each to help rebuild their lives.

The events leading to this point were spearheaded by Dr Jerrol Thompson, former parliamentary representative for North Leeward.

Thompson said the first fundraiser was a barbecue held at Troumaca on December 3, which raised $4,500, which is what was distributed among the families. Dr Thompson told SEARCHLIGHT that he is personally acquainted with all the victims and that they were all doing fine before the tragic fires. Thompson expressed his thanks to multi soca monarch Delroy “Fireman” Hooper who performed free at the fundraiser, and all others who dedicated their time and effort.

The appliances were donated by furniture and appliance stores Singer, Courts (SVG) Ltd, and Y-De Lima Ltd.

Claudine Samuel, whose house caught fire in August last year, received a gas stove and refrigerator. Samuel said that she is presently living in a section of her house, but lacks electricity.

“I must say that I am truly blessed for the support that I received, and I must thank God and all who helped in anyway, and for all the prayers,” Samuel said.

Rosalie Roberts of Troumaca also received a refrigerator and gas stove. Her home was set on fire by her former lover after he had chopped her and one of daughters about their bodies with a cutlass. He later drank the deadly poison gramoxone and died shortly after.

Roberts and her daughter were present; Shanique seems to have made a full recovery, but Roberts is still in visible pain and has difficulty walking. Roberts has little movement in her left fingers and her right index and middle fingers also have very limited movement. Roberts said that she is fed up with all the violence in the society, especially violence against women.

Roberts is presently staying with friends, but she wants to be able to return to her own home as soon as she can. She said that her gratitude and prayers go out to all who helped and supported in any way.

Three days after Rosalie’s home was set fire in Troumaca, Jenifer Shallow’s at Couls Hill caught fire on October 18, last year. Shallow is presently living in a rented house.

She only received a stove as she had gone ahead and purchased a refrigerator. Shallow gave the vote of thanks at the modest ceremony held in the yard of the Troumaca Primary School.

Dr Thompson said that the $1,500 given to each family would go towards building costs. He also said that soon he will be organizing self-help labour to help in the actual rebuilding of the homes.(TY)