The family of ten who lost all their belongings in a recent fire in Linden was the most recent recipient of relief items from the Guyana Relief Council (GRC).
A mid-morning fire last Thursday completely destroyed the two-flat house belonging to the Fordyce family in Silvertown, Wismar. At the time of the disaster Joseph Fordyce, his wife Vashtie and three grandchildren were the only ones at home.
The fire was first discovered by one of the children who immediately alerted her grandparents. They were forced to evacuate the building leaving all their belongings behind due to the extent of the blaze.
On Wednesday the GRC donated a quantity of household items to the family. Among the items donated were mattresses, kitchen utensils, clothing and foodstuff. Head of the household Joseph Fordyce said that he was very appreciative of the gesture which would bring much needed relief to his family.
Joseph said that since the incident he has been receiving donations from friends and well-wishers to whom he wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude.
Currently the family is occupying an incomplete building in Amelia’s Ward. “This house belongs to a family friend who is living in de states. He was very nice to us and told us to make ourselves comfortable until we get some place better.”
The house has no windows and only one stairway but provides a roof over the heads of the family. According to Joseph he is vigorously pursuing the reconstruction of his home in Silvertown. He said that they have already completed clearing the debris from the land and hope to start construction soon.
Among the children in the family is Crystal Horna, 11-years-old, who is a student of the Watooka Primary School. Crystal is preparing for this academic year’s Grade 6 examinations. However, she has not yet commenced classes since the start of the new school year. At the scene of the fire last week Crystal was crying uncontrollably because she had lost all her school supplies.
But help is underway. A fellow Lindener said, “I was particularly moved by the gesture of my daughter Schnace who is a peer of Crystal. They both attend the same school. She learnt of her friend’s losses at school on Tuesday. First I was scolded for not telling her of the incident and not showing her the article in the newspaper. What took me by surprise was my daughter telling me that she was giving Crystal her new school uniform and that she was going to use her old one from last term until I can afford to get her another. She also convinced me to give her friend a new pair of school shoes which I was saving for one of my younger daughters.”
When Crystal got the news yesterday she was elated and said how very happy she felt that her friend was making such a sacrifice to help her get to school.
Her grandfather Joseph said that the school bus driver `Miss Eartha’ has also promised to aid the children in returning to school soon.
