Buxton resident and PPP stalwart Edmund Forde, 93, is now the owner of a two-bedroom house constructed as one of three recently completed building projects by the First Lady’s Foundation.
A release from the foundation said that as it continues to advance its goal of promoting positive family values, the projects were undertaken to ameliorate the lives of the elderly man and two disabled residents of Enterprise, East Coast Demerara.
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar had attended Forde’s birthday celebration in 2013.
“Recognising the tough conditions under which this senior citizen was living, Mrs Ramotar submitted a proposal to the eight-member committee that is responsible for overseeing projects undertaken by the foundation.
This proposal was granted favourable consideration and plans were finalised for the construction of a 25 by 30 feet house on land owned by Mr Forde. This house consists of two bedrooms, a bathroom, living room and kitchen. All electrical works were sponsored and completed by Mr Gordon Saul,” the release stated.
In June 2013, Stabroek News had reported that the First Lady and the staff of Freedom House had joined in celebrating Forde’s 93rd birthday.
A release from Freedom House had said that Forde who has a street named in his honour in the village had been associated since the mid-1940s with the late Dr Cheddi Jagan and the Political Affairs Committee which preceded the establishment of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in 1950. He served as a grass roots activist for over 60 years and continued to serve by selling the party’s weekly publication ‘The Mirror’ within his community.
The foundation’s release said that in a similar manner and within the confines of its available resources, the foundation had completed repairs to the staircase and roof of double amputee Rohit Baichu, 52 and repaired both staircases of stroke-victim Sursattie Harrichand.
Baichu a former fisherman, had lost both of his legs due to diabetes complications. With his loss of mobility, he had to be lifted by his son, up and down the dilapidated stairs of his elevated house.
Recognising the danger that the steps posed to him and his son, the foundation had intervened and renovated the staircase. The leaking roof of Baichu’s house was also repaired.
According to the release, Baichu expressed his gratitude to the foundation as he could now be easily assisted to his wheel chair in the house and around the community.
Harrichand had suffered a stroke about six years ago which severely restricted her mobility. Both staircases to her home at Enterprise were in dire need of repairs and posed a danger to her and family members, especially at times when they needed to take her for medical treatment and therapy. The foundation assisted by installing new staircases for the benefit of this family.
In 2014, the foundation will continue its work programme, which includes reaching out and providing support to vulnerable individuals and groups; an on-going literacy programme (CXC classes, computer classes and library facilities); a kitchen garden project, and the building of core homes for vulnerable families, the release added.
