St Lucy family overjoyed as reconstruction starts on new home

Nearly five years after she lost her house to fire, a double amputee who is also blind is ecstatic to get a new home.

Today, 71-year-old Idora Carmen Angela Murphy was full of praise for the St Lucy branch of the party which stepped forward to help rebuild her house at Well Road, Pie Corner, St Lucy.

She expressed joy that the branch has been leading the charge to facilitate the rebuilding process especially since the family has been met by several challenges since the blaze. She said life has been difficult since the fire, recalling that at one point they were even thrown out of a rental property and had to sleep outside for three nights.

Sitting in her wheelchair, next to the house’s foundation which is soon to be completed, Murphy said she and her family have had it tough since their home was destroyed just before the May 23, 2018 General Elections.

“I feel great. I am so happy today. I am happy to know that I am getting help, and I am getting the house back. I would love to get back my own home so that I can be settled.

“I want to say to the people that are helping me, I want to say a very big thanks to them. I want to say thanks to my Democratic Labour Party (DLP) people. I will never ever leave the Democratic [Labour] Party,” Murphy said during a site meeting on Friday.

The elderly woman recalled that it was on Saturday May 19 when her grandson was burning stuff in the yard, when the wind blew some of the burning items towards the house, and eventually created a blaze that could not be successfully extinguished despite efforts by the Barbados Fire Service.

“All I could do is holler and tell them to get me out quick,” she said, noting that she occupied the house with her daughter and three grandchildren.

Her daughter, Christine Murphy, who is also her caretaker, said she too was happy for the development, considering that four years ago at this time her family was preparing to experience Christmas in a rental house where they were experiencing challenges.

“And when this happened for us I was so proud and I want to say thanks to everyone who is helping. The day that this house is finished and I could get the keys to turn the lock and kiss it and get the house blessed and everything I will say many more thanks to the Democratic Labour Party St Lucy Branch,” Christine said.

The daughter recalled: “When the house burned we were put in a house down Northumberland (St Lucy) and we were left to pay rent. Our story was highlighted and people came forward to help us until the landlord and her boyfriend came one day and started nailing up the house. We slept underneath a shop for three nights and then we ended up with a gentleman until this time. We can’t wait to get back home.”

DLP president Dr Ronnie Yearwood, said the party was pleased to be a part of the community effort to help Murphy get back her home after four years.

“When the Government fails to stand in the breach, the community has to come together.

“The party is only part of the community. And I am so proud of the St Lucy Branch of the Democratic Labour Party to try to spearhead this initiative. It shows that parties are not only political machineries and electoral purposes, but there are also other dimensions of a party that you have to be able to help members in the community when they require it and when Government fails to offer that ready assistance,” Dr Yearwood said. He also encouraged private citizens and corporate Barbados to lend a helping hand to the project.

Retired Senior Superintendent of Police and Chairman of the organising group for the project, Morgan Greaves, told Barbados TODAY that the house was 50 per cent completed with most of the materials already available for the structure. He explained that donations are needed to add the fixtures.

“We are also seeking some financial help to employ workers to finish the structure. The finishing date is the 31st of January 2023, that is an estimated time,” Greaves said.

Community activist Mitch Blackman, who is the contractor on the project, thanked those donors who would have also contributed to the project.

He said the building still has some way to go before it is completed and therefore called on more businesses and citizens to support the cause. (AH)