A family of four from Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo (EBE), yesterday received the keys to their new home in keeping with a commitment made by First Lady Arya Ali.
Six weeks earlier, the First Lady visited the Ward family at their home which was in a deplorable state.
A release from the Office of the First Lady said that seventy-five-year-old Vibert Ward was diagnosed with prostate cancer three years ago and has been bedridden since. His wife, Dolly Ward, provides round-the-clock care to him, in addition to having to care for their two teenage daughters.
As a result, the wife has been unable to work, and this has resulted in the family having to rely on Mr Ward’s pension to provide for their needs.
When the First Lady visited the family in late April, she committed to building a new home for them, setting up a chicken coop for the family to earn from, and providing the teenage girls with scholarships upon the completion of their schooling.
The release said that Chairman of Region Three, Ishan Ayube, also committed to providing part-time employment for Mrs Ward whose responsibility would be to care for her husband. The Regional Democratic Council (RDC) pledged to also provide medical supplies for Mr Ward.
Yesterday, the family received the keys to their new two-bedroom house which was semi-furnished with a sofa, television, stove, fridge, and beds.
“I am happy to be able to fulfill this commitment to you, and provide you with your new home in just six weeks. I hope that this will provide the kind of support that your family needs and that it will be of tremendous value to your girls,” the First Lady told Mrs Ward during the handing over.
Mrs Ali also highlighted that it was made possible through sponsorship and donations from kind-hearted residents of Region Three.
The release said that Mrs Ward shared how grateful the family was to the First Lady and by extension the Government of Guyana for intervening at such a critical time for them.
This is the second family to receive a new house through the Office of the First Lady, the release said.
