A new plan is afoot to assist Diamond Valley family

Social media influencer Jordan English and well-known businessman Anderson Cherry have stepped back from The Luke Family Home Renovation Project amid unresolved legal matters and objections from authorities.

Instead, the Rural Development Commission (RDC), the Child Care Board and the office of St. Philip South Parliamentary Representative Indar Weir will be taking over, Barbados TODAY understands.

Over the last few hours, a sign was erected at the site which read: Private property, No Trespassing, while both English and Cherry were served legal notices instructing them to cease work on the deplorable wood and wall structure at Diamond Valley.

Katura Luke’s Diamond Valley, St Philip home is desperately in need of repairs.

“In the last two days, we have been fighting a battle with the landlord of the house… and all of a sudden, they have reached out to us and sent a cease and desist [notice, preventing us] from renovating the house and that is okay,” English disclosed.

He then expressed thanks to the Government of Barbados and Prime Minister Mia Mottley for alerting the authorities charged with providing assistance and rehabilitation for the family of five.

Last Monday, the 23-year-old uncovered the plight of  Katura Luke and her four daughters, ages three to 17. The family has been living in squalor and is reportedly being subjected to “severe domestic injustices”.

Since then, English, Cherry and a team of friends assisted the family with a seven-day stay at the Crane Hotel as they attempted to transform their living conditions.

Amid the effort, Barbados TODAY investigations revealed that the property was in fact up for sale and no permission had been granted for the work to take place.

In light of the unfortunate developments, Cherry, the managing director of Jose Y Jose, today announced that he would be cancelling plans to renovate the property due to the unresolved legal matters.

He explained that despite “conflicting and in some cases erroneous information” surrounding the situation, he was compelled by the unquestioned truth that Katurah and her family needed help.

According to Cherry’s statement, the Rural Development Commission (RDC) has been mobilised by St. Philip South Member of Parliament and Minister of Agriculture Indar Weir and plans are in train to have them living in decent conditions as early as next Wednesday.

The Child Care Board is also stepping in to provide a safe environment for the four minors involved given Katurah’s grave health conditions.

“It is my goal to see this family’s situation post May 26 completely transformed, not only by the basic material comforts we all take for granted but also by seeing those girls and their mother socially adjusted into hopefully, productive Barbadian citizens,” declared Cherry.

“I would like to personally and publicly laud the efforts of Minister Indar Weir and [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment] Neil Rowe for their continued efforts to assist the Luke family.

“Corporate Barbados also jumped in to help in a variety of ways, from temporary accommodation to actual cash donations. I would also like to offer special thanks to Mr. Jordan English and his team; the work he is doing in communities across Barbados is absolutely needed and I would like to encourage each and every Barbadian to assist,” the statement added.

English meanwhile, who also spearheaded a recent food drive, announced he would be stepping back from charity work and returning to his previous occupation.

“To all of those that we were able to help it was our pleasure and for those who did not get the help…. I encourage you to reach out to many of the other charities who are stepping up to the plate during COVID-19,” he added. kareemsmith@barbadostoday.bb