Despite the tragedy of losing her husband and then her mother, single parent mother Vashti Debideen had reason to smile after the group Habitat for Humanity built a house for her and her two young children. Debideen received the keys to the house on Friday at Maya Boulevard, Gasparillo.
Her children Jerome, 10, and Jessica six, who both attend the Brothers Presbyterian School, Williamsville planted a mango tree in the yard shortly after officials from Habitat for Humanity, Republic Bank and the National Gas Company presented her with the keys.
Debideen said when her husband Dharmindra Debideen, an ex-Caroni worker died suddenly from pneumonia fever in 2010, her life went topsy-turvy.
“I would lie in my bed and wonder about our finances. Everything fell to me. My children were not happy and I was thrown out of my in-laws home,” Debideen said.
With the assistance of her Pastor Kris Maharaj, of the Jesus Worship Centre, Debideen applied for assistance from Habitat for Humanity.
“When I got called to be interviewed I was surprised and, after attending workshops, I am so happy and blessed to now have my own home,” Debideen said.
President of Habitat for Humanity Jennifer Massiah said more than 160,000 people are in need of houses in T&T. She praised NGC led by president Mark Loquan and Republic Bank’s chairman of the Capital Campaign Cabinet of Habitat Ronald Harford for supporting the charitable programmes.
Loquan said between 2005 to 2015, NGC partnered with the organisation and contributed $1.25m to build 16 homes.
“For a three year period beginning in 2016, NGC has pledged $3 million to assist in the provision of homes for those in need through our partnership with Habitat. He also said that the families of Vashti Debideen, Natasha Modeste and Seerogenee Simbhu will receive new homes while 10 other families will be given construction material to begin or complete their home construction.
He also praised NGC’s employees for using their time, skills and knowledge to assist the unfortunate.
Harford also praised NGC and encouraged other companies to contribute towards improving the plight of the less fortunate. He said that a society could not be built if families did not have proper shelter.
Harford has committed to raising $65 million for Habitat for Humanity. People who qualify for aid are given up to 30 years to repay non-profit loans. The monies are put into a revolving fund and are used to assist the under-privileged.