Fire victims struggling to get back on their feet

A father of South Rivers said he and his three children are struggling to get back on their feet, months after a fire gutted the rented house in which they resided destroying all their material possession.

On Sunday February 27, 2022, fire gutted the house in South Rivers which was occupied by Nirmal ‘Damion’ Williams and his three children- Zoey John, 8; Tiffany John 6; and their 5-year old brother, Jahmarley John.

The fire rendered the father and his three children homeless and they have sought shelter in various places since then.

Williams and his children are currently living in Glen, and although they now have a roof over their heads he said life is still hard, especially for the young children.

“I managed to get an unfurnished house to rent for us to stay,” he said.

“Right now, we do not even have a mattress or a bed, or even a good plate or glass,” When SEARCHLIGHT visited Williams at South Rivers after the fire he had lamented “everything burn up, every single thing gone.”

Thankfully, they managed to escape the February 27 fire with their lives.

On Tuesday, May 31 Williams told SEARCHLIGHT that since the fire he has received two vouchers from the Ministry of National Mobilization for uniform for the children, and a food voucher from the Red Cross.

“I am not working right now, I am a trade man and I lost all my tools in the fire,” he explained.

Williams said he is willing to work as a labourer now because of the loss of the tools of his trade.

With no work as yet, the young father said he is finding it difficult to provide for his children and himself.

Additionally, he has to pay a monthly rent for their present place of abode.

His children previously attended the South Rivers Methodist School, but with the change in residence, they are now attending the Fair Hall Government School.

Zoey is in Grade 3, Tiffany in Grade 1 and Jahmarley in Kindergarten.

“Right now, my children going to school without text books.

“Sometimes, I don’t even have a dollar to give them for recess,” the tradesman related.

The children however, are provided with lunch by the school free of charge.

Williams said they have received some clothing donated by parents of the South Rivers Methodist School, for which they are very thankful.

“But we need more help, we don’t even have a proper place to sleep.

“I really suffering right now.

“I am going through a lot, I need help,” Williams said.

Among the items lost in the fire is a washing machine which he had purchased just two months before.

“It is hard to provide a proper meal and to give my children all the comfort that they are used to having,” Williams added.

The children stayed temporarily with their mother in South Rivers after the fire.

Persons willing to assist Nirmal Williams and his children can contact him at 531 7597.