Food for the Poor (Guyana) last week handed over ten houses to residents of Region Six as it continues to target the construction of ten houses per month in the region for families that are in need.
Alex Foster, head of the St. Francis Community Developers, over the last weekend explained that the first ten families for 2021, a total of 58 persons, hail from Rose Hall Town, Corentyne; Letter Kenny Village, Corentyne; New Amsterdam; Glasgow Housing Scheme, East Bank Berbice and Fort Ordnance, East Canje Berbice.
“The families come from various backgrounds but all of them satisfied the criteria that was given to them to get these houses”, Foster stressed.
To date, 360 houses have been handed over to residents of Region Six. Foster, who oversees the selection process locally, noted that in collaboration with Food for the Poor they are continuing to target the construction of ten houses per month for the year, as he pointed out that they have already received approval for 70 houses for this year. He added that due to the weather conditions they have fallen back a bit with construction thus far but that their target still remains 120 houses for 2021.
Presently, he said, they are looking at families that are in dire need of the houses and who have four and above children.
Foster pointed out that initially Food for the Poor would import the materials and then the houses would be “put together” but that over the years they have opted to purchase the materials locally “so to give local suppliers the cash.”
Foster also stated that Food for the Poor (Miami) has since increased funding to ensure that all the houses have two stairs and the necessary indoor toilet facilities. Louvre windows are also being installed instead of wooden windows.
Also, families will receive two beds, a table with four chairs, a table model gas stove and those who are not connected to the Guyana Power and Light grid will receive solar panels.
Meanwhile, according to Foster, Food for the Poor is moving in another direction which is an enhancement of what St. Francis has been doing in the region, “and that is empowering the families… Learning more about their background and skills and then see how we can build on those skills.”
He noted that at the simple handing over of certificates of ownership, the adults brought “things that they made, and produce from their gardens that they sell from.”
Some brought hand-knitted towels, vegetables, fried snacks and other items. “Food for the Poor has committed to help them to acquire the tools and equipment necessary to help them boost what they are doing”, he stressed.
Foster said that by the end of 2022 they are expecting to complete over 500 houses and “thanks should go to Food for the Poor (Guyana) and Food for the Poor (Miami). We are collaborating with them as a partner to ensure that these persons (families) do not have to travel to go to Georgetown” to carry out the necessary process.
