Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud on Monday officially handed over a brand new home to a mother of six at Matthews Ridge, North-West District (NWD), Region One (Barima-Waini).
The 16 by 20 feet home is valued at over $1 million. The woman, Ernesta Lara, had lost her home due to high winds back in January 2020 but through the Ministry in collaboration with Vitality Accounting and Consultancy Inc, a new one was constructed for her.
An emotional Lara fought to hold back tears as she showered praises onto Minister Persaud and her Ministry for this “life-changing gift”.
Ernesta Lara’s new home
“This is going to change my life, I can’t thank you enough, thank God for the Minister, thank God for everybody, I can’t stop saying thank God,” Lara said while adding that she was fortunate to find lodging at a neighbour’s home after her house collapsed.
Minister of Human Services and Social Security Minister, Dr Vindhya Persaud (second from right) presents the keys to new homeowner, Ernesta Lara in the presence of Technical Officer (ag) Satesh Rajpat and Matthews Ridge Community Development Council’s Vice Chairperson, Janice Moses-Fraser
Persaud expressed that she was happy to present Lara with the home in time for the holidays.
“Ministry reaches out to people who are in very tough situations and Ms Lara’s home collapsed because of high winds and she has a number of children including a child who has a disability and so we reached out with the help of the community, the region and the youth group here, this was able to materialise,” the Minister stated.
She added, “I want to say a special thanks to Vitality Inc because they contributed to the cost of building this home.”
While Lara’s new two-bedroom home was erected on her land, the old structure was dismantled and the wood packed at the back in order to facilitate the construction of a pen where she can do farming.
