Three residents sing high praises after being handed keys to their new homes

Three Barbadians: two St Lucy residents and one from St Philip, shed tears of joy today as they received early Christmas gifts in the form of houses that were rebuilt after being destroyed by Hurricane Elsa.

Fighting to hold back the tears, Shamika Alleyne said she was grateful to all who made it possible for her and her three children ages 12, eight and two, to be moving into a brand new two-bedroom house at Water Hall, St Philip.

“Yes. I am emotional because this is my first time and that is me. This is the best gift I ever get,” Alleyne told members of the media.

Alleyne, who said she felt good, indicated that the contractor who worked on her home promised that the construction work would be finished in time for the Christmas holidays.

She said while the house which was destroyed by Hurricane Elsa was being rebuilt, she was staying at her mother’s home which she noted, was challenging at time for her children.

“It wasn’t bad but I’m glad to be back here on my own,” Alleyne said.

Richard Marshall of Trent’s, St Lucy was in the process of repairing his house which was damaged by Storm Tomas in 2010, when the freak storm which struck the island in June completely took his roof off.

Marshall thanked Prime Minister Mia Amor Mottley who visited his home when it was damaged by the storm for following through with her promise which has led to him being able to now live in a newly built three-bedroom wooden structure. The Rural Development Commission (RDC) was the government agency responsible for overseeing the rebuilding of Marshall’s home.

“I want to say thank you to the Prime Minister. Thank you to my Member of Parliament Peter Philips,” a tearful Marshall said while being comforted.

Shernell Brome at Ursula Caddle-Sobers Drive, St Lucy was also overcome with emotions as Member of Parliament for the area and Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Maintenance Peter Phillips handed her the keys to her two-bedroom house, which was also rebuilt by the RDC.

This year, Brome lost her father and brother who lived with her at that location before the house was rebuilt. She celebrated her 47th birthday on Monday and welcomed her new abode as a birthday and early Christmas gift.

“I am elated to have a new home especially on this my birthday. Seeing it built, I was quite happy because I wanted to do some stuff before daddy passed and seeing a new house is good for me and a new beginning despite the loss.

“I am thankful to my MP, my neighbour and friend I would say. And to the Rural Development Commission and to the contractor who built the house and those who would have taken part, I want to say thank you,” Brome said.

Minister Phillips said the authorities were happy to bring a sense of relief to those presented with their homes today. He gave the assurance that efforts are on the way to repair and rebuild houses for persons who were displaced due to the severe weather systems.

The MP said despite the relevant government agencies encountering several legal challenges while attempting to rebuild and repair homes for residents across Barbados, the project is still ongoing.

“We will be pushing on with this project into the new year, working as hard as possible to get persons back in their homes, get persons resettled early in January and I would probably give this project maybe up to the end of the financial year.

“But we know the challenges that you can encounter from time to time. I want to thank all those persons who have assisted and the agencies who are working on this project,” Phillips said.

Member of Parliament for St Philip South, Indar Weir said while he was aware of the challenges Alleyne, a single-mother, would have encountered due to the passage of the hurricane, he is happy that Government is able to deliver on its promises. Weir thanked Minister of Housing Dr William Duguid for bringing relief to Alleyne and others across Barbados. anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb