Fire victims need more help

Almost two months after fire destroyed her White Hill, St Andrew two-bedroom timber house and its contents, 40-year-old Keisha Tieson says her family of five is in need of more assistance as their time for government assistance was nearing an end.

Tieson told Barbados TODAY on Thursday at the Lester Vaughan School, where she accepted a monetary donation along with food items and toiletries, that while she and her family were being housed in a rental property in White Hill, things were difficult.

She said only two persons in the household are currently employed and those earnings have to pay part of the rent and bills. The other part of the rent is paid by the Welfare Department.

The mother of four, who also has two grandchildren, said that while two weeks after the March 30 fire the family was still receiving assistance from multiple sources, that is no longer the case.

“It is hard for us right now. The last couple weeks I was really stressed and I had to be strong for my children to not let them see the situation affecting me the way it has been. Many nights I got to be in the bedroom shut up and just be with my thoughts. I have been trying to reach out to people and the help ain’t there like before,” she said.

Tieson said her family is in need of household furniture, food and other necessities. She said the house they are staying in only has beds.

“That house that burn down was my house. So now, having to pay rent and pay extra bills, with only so much money coming in has been really difficult. So when you ask how life has been for us since the fire, it has been really hard. Some days I don’t know what to do. I am really grateful for the help the Lester Vaughan School is giving us. I am very thankful for this help,” the mother said.

Fifth-form year head Gregory Holder who made the presentation said because one of Tieson’s children, Keron, is a student at the St Thomas educational institution, the school wanted to give any assistance possible to the family.

“We empathise with the family and we just want to ensure that they are comfortable and that they try every way possible to get back to their normal. I know it is not easy; however, we are here to support. And at this time, with Keron [to sit] CXC, we just want to make sure that he is a little bit comfortable and can focus on those exams,” Holder said.

He added that the toiletries and food stuff came from the Lester Vaughan School Shop managed by teacher Rochelle Edwards who  also attended the presentation.
anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb