A Morvant mom gets help

“POVERTY is hell,” said calypsonian Shadow in one of his ditties a few years ago.

A typical example of the sentiments expressed by Shadow was seen on Friday when Newsday visited a home in Second Caledonia, Morvant. Here was 51-year-old Elizabeth Pollard and her 11-year-old son, Jonathan, making ends meet in what can easily be called a shack, not fit for human habitation. Her house has no electricity or running water. It was with this in mind that the San Juan Regional Corporation decided to lend a hand by assisting mother and son to acquire proper living quarters.

The Chairman of the Corporation, Jeffrey Reyes told Newsday: “My heart bled when I saw where Pollard has been living for the past 25 years.” Fired by his pledge to eradicate poverty in his Electoral District, Reyes directed the Corporation to provide materials and labour to help Pollard. He was impressed with the “try and help yourself” attitude displayed by Pollard whose only means of survival is through a monthly disability grant  provided by Government. Pollard, who is not in the best of health, sought assistance from kind neighbours and some corporate citizens. She was able to acquire concrete blocks and other materials, and this encouraged the Corporation to do the rest by supplying sand and other materials as well as labour.

Last Friday, a gang of about ten Regional Corporation personnel started work on a new home for Pollard. It is hoped that within a matter of weeks, Pollard will move into her new home. An obviously happy Pollard said with a winsome smile, “Thank God my prayers are being answered.” For all of this, she lives a contented life and is well liked by all around her.