After living in dilapidated conditions for a number of years, Richard Fresco, 27, and his mother, Virginia Beatrice Giddings of Angoy’s Avenue, New Amsterdam have finally found comfort after moving into their new home.
They both were excited and expressed gratitude to Zakaria El Dib, General Manager of Operations at the Oldendorff Bauxite Company and his wife, Antje El Dib, the Rotary Club of New Amsterdam and a few businesses for making their dreams a reality.
Richard’s reaction when he moved into the house was, “This is what I wanted to do for my mother.” He could not stop smiling.
Virginia on the other hand, could not contain her emotions and cried tears of joy that her prayers were answered. She also fainted and fell on the floor when it apparently dawned on her that she would now live in a proper home.
Mother and son thanked God for making it possible for them and said they would always continue to “trust in Him.”
They had shared a derelict domain with Richard’s nephews, John, 11, and Isaac, 10, and his seven-year-old niece, Holly. He had been taking care of his mother and the children ever since their mother [his sister] died.
Providing his mother with a better home was Richard’s biggest dream and he had planned to “work and save some money” to fix their shack.
As fate would have it though, he fell from a truck while working at a sawmill over nine months ago and his dreams were shattered.
Many persons had promised to assist in getting them get a better home but Zakaria El Dib, General Manager of Operations at the Oldendorff Bauxite Company and his wife, Antje El Dib were the first to come forward.
Through the New Amsterdam Rotary Club, they got down to work last month and two weeks later the house was ready for the family to move into.
But first, Antje who is from Holland, went around and solicited the help of some businesses in the town such as A. Ally & Sons, Amerally Sawmills, J’s Supermar-ket, Haribowl Store and from the owner of Ivor Shakoor’s Furniture Establishment – who has since passed away.
She has also sent copies of a news item that was aired on a local television station about Richard’s plight, to Germany with an executive staff of Oldendorff and he would try to get help for Richard and other persons in similar situations.
Meanwhile, Antje and Zakaria who would be going to Holland soon plan to ship a quantity of walking aides, wheelchairs and hospital beds in a container to donate to the Dharm Shala at Canje and the National Psychiatric Hospital to make the lives of the residents comfortable. They decided to do that after visiting both places.
Zakaria told this newspaper that Richard is able to move his hands a little now and if it is possible for him to have surgery he would be willing to acquire the funds to take him overseas to have it performed.
He pointed out that there are many persons suffering in similar ways and “we do not need an earthquake or a natural disaster to draw the attention of the outside world.” While he acknowledged that a lot of people are trying to help he said a lot more can be done.
The couple who have always been involved in helping the less fortunate had imported a container with clothing, footwear, sewing machines and other items over one year ago and distributed it to Berbicians.
New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir
Meanwhile, president of the New Jersey Arya Samaj Mandir, Inc. Humanitarian Mission (NJASM), Pandit Suresh Sugrim told this newspaper via email that he was happy that other persons came together to give Richard and his mother “a brighter tomorrow.”
He said he had visited them during his trip to Guyana last year and “it was my sincere hope and vision to build a house for this family before leaving Guyana… to give them a better life after seeing what they were living in and knowing that he became paralyzed due to the accident from his job.”
He said the budget for the house had already been approved but it would have been difficult to start the project “due to the time period I was here for…” and because there was no easy access to the house.
He said his organization is still interested in helping them and when he comes back to Guyana he would see what else he can do to “continue to put smiles on their faces. They are God’s children and no one deserves to live in that condition. I was shocked to see the kitchen and the surrounding areas of his bed and the entire environment…”
The NJASM assists persons who have been stricken by ill-health and he asked “all our dear readers to reflect on all that you have to be thankful for this past year. Tragic events such as the earthquake in Haiti remind us that we indeed have much to be thankful for.
He said he is driven by a deep sense of obligation and commitment “to help all those individuals who are not as blessed as we are.”
