A radiant glow of gratitude shines on the face of Ovena Braithwaite as she fixes a calendar on the wall of her new home.
It may not be a mansion but the one-bedroom house represents just that for the mother of two – with another on the way – who lost the roof of the shack she called home in the village of Yarrowkabra, more that two months after her husband mysteriously disappeared.
“I feel so glad…I didn’t know that this could have happened,” Ovena told Stabroek New yesterday gratitude obvious in her voice. “I’m happy for all the help…just want to thank everybody who help me,” she said.
Ovena moved into her new home built right next to the roofless shack, on Saturday night after a small thanksgiving service was held in it by the pastor of a nearby church; attended by the few villagers who had assisted the woman in her time of need. The house which was finished on Saturday was built for the small family by Mr and Mrs Sattaur Gafoor.
One might ask what the future plans are for this woman who has gone through more that any mother should bear. As of now she will concentrate all her energy into having a safe pregnancy and delivery. And even after she delivers her child the possibility of her getting a job to support her children is very dim; since she has problems with her sight and the only job she can manage is domestic work. Then there is the fact that she will have three young children to take care of. Ovena had told this newspaper earlier that her two children, Keith and Linda become sad when she has to leave them with neighbours for any reason.
The children’s godmother, Ann Davidson told Stabroek News that she has to revisit welfare officials sometime this week and hopes that some sort of funds can be solicited from this body to help the small family manage better.
In the meantime there is still no word on the whereabouts of Ovena’s husband who went missing several months ago. Clive Mariano was taken to the Diamond Diagnostic centre by Davidson after he fell ill. He was reportedly transferred to the Georgetown Public Hospital and then just vanished, seemingly into thin air as there has been no sign of him although hospitals, mortuaries, and relatives were checked.
Meanwhile Ovena is happy that there is a sturdy roof over her head, and the help that she has gotten over the weeks has come a far way to assist her. She still has groceries remaining and her neighbours will continue to watch out for her.
Her neighbour Lynette Wong told Stabroek News that the men who built the house will have to return to add some finishing touches and a toilet and bathroom have to be built.
The woman who rescued the family – housing and feeding them when they most needed it – said that God will provide as he has done so far.
