With the help of Food For The Poor (FFTP) Guyana Inc., 15 families living in the Amerindian community of Capoey, in Region Two, will be spending Christmas in their own houses.
The houses have been handed over to the families, although no formal ceremony was held due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Approximately 79 persons living in the 15 households are beneficiaries. The houses come with a rain harvesting component, which is to assist families in safely storing water for consumption and domestic purposes. Each home was partially furnished with beds, a table and chairs, a gas stove, and a small solar panel system to power three bulbs and charge a cell phone.
Senior Manager for FFTP Guyana Inc Andrea Benjamin told this newspaper that the organisation was pleased to extend its housing drive to the Amerindian community. She said a needs assessment was conducted in the community and it was revealed that some families needed help.
She noted said the housing initiative is aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 11, which is aimed at ensuring access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services.
Benjamin said FFTP Guyana Inc has been playing an active role in boosting the housing conditions in Capoey and Region Two. Recently, 60 houses were constructed in the Bethany, Supenaam Creek area.
To date, FFTP has constructed over 690 homes in Region Two, including at Mashabo, Lake Mainstay, and Kabakaburi. Over 100 houses, a community centre and a school were constructed at Little Red Village, Onderneeming, in 2019.
Benjamin called on the beneficiaries to care for the homes and beautify their surroundings. Each recipient received a certificate of ownership from Food for the Poor.
Toshao of Capoey Ralph Hendricks said that he is happy that his community was selected for the construction of the houses. He extended thanks to FFTP and lobbied for more houses to be constructed in his community.
One beneficiary, Rodney Hendricks, expressed his gratitude to FFTP Guyana and said that he is happy that he will be spending Christmas in his own home.
Another happy beneficiary, Ulita Thomas, said that she had been living in a one-bedroom house and her children were uncomfortable.
