Thieves have carted away thousands of dollars worth in donated items meant to help impoverished couple Harriett and Winston Halbal and their two young sons. The incident has left the Halbals upset and annoyed.
Last December, the Halbals received an outpouring of support from the public when they were highlighted in the Sunday Guardian. Back then, their two sons, Mark Halbal, 14, and Aaron 11, were forced to study under a dim street light outside their Grass Trace, Flanagin, home because of the poor conditions in which they live.
Their story touched scores of people who came forward to help the two boys who were excelling in school despite their hardships and financial woes. Among the people who came forward to assist was a group of Sai Baba devotees, who built a $275,000 two-bedroom termite, hurricane and fire proof home for the family.
In addition to the home, approximately $90,000 worth in items, including foodstuff, clothing, furniture and appliances were also given to the family by good Samaritans and NGOs. The boxes of donated items were stored under the Halbals old, rickety house while their new home was being constructed.
“At nights, people from the village started coming into our yard and toting away our items. They practically took all our grocery items, including new clothes and bottles of perfume which was given to me. One man took 18 packs of macaroni. I don’t know if he sold it. We know who thief some of the items, but we just have to keep our mouths shut,” Harriett said, during an interview last week.
Fearing for their lives, the Halbals did not report the thefts to the police. By the time the new house was constructed, Harriett, 48, said, her old house was almost cleaned out by thieves.
“What they didn’t take was a stove, washing machine, wardrobe, a living room set and two beds,” Harriet said.
“We estimate that approximately $40,000 in items was stolen from us,” Winston said.
Harriett said she was surprised by the villagers’ behaviour since she had shared some of the foodstuff with them for Christmas.
“I wasn’t selfish or greedy. They still got.”
Winston said when they moved into their new home on February 17, their problems intensified.
“The criminals came back one night and broke the glass on a window to gain entry, but they were unsuccessful. They also chopped our steel-plated front door with a cutlass,” said Winston.
The couple said they were being envied by many because of their new home.
“While we are thankful for what we have received it has not been easy for us. We thought the donated items would have lasted a couple of months, but we are back to square one. Our cupboards are empty. I am back in the bush digging yam and cleaning people’s house to feed my children and send them to school,” Harriett said.
Two weeks ago, Winston who is medically unfit, went to help Harriett in the yam field and was bitten on his left hand by a macajuel snake and had to be taken to San Fernando General Hospital for medical attention.