-five without shelter
A storm swept across the Yarrowkabra community on the Linden/Soesdyke High-way on Monday felling trees, fences and a house which was occupied by a single-parent and her four children.
Yonette Chapman and other residents were stunned by the sudden change in the weather pattern and it brought back fresh memories of a similar incident that occurred last September.
Yesterday Chapman pleaded for assistance to rebuild her home which she said was blown off of its pillars by strong winds and landed flat on the ground damaging all her possessions in the process. She can be contacted on 685-6321.
She recalled that around 4 pm, she and her children were standing at her stall from which she sells items to sustain herself and family when she noticed that the sky had darkened as if rain was coming. She said the day was very hot so residents were happy for the rain but were not prepared for the strong breeze, thunder and lightning that accompanied it.
The mother of seven said that after the storm had passed someone informed her that the structure she had called home for the last nine years had been destroyed.
The woman told this newspaper via cellular phone that her dishes, household appliances and other items have been destroyed and estimated her losses in the vicinity of $500,000.
She expressed surprise that the structure which was built with hardwood could have been demolished and was thankful that she and her children were not at home at the time.
“I am a single parent and ah don’t know what to do now…. Right now I deh hey staying by a sister but ah don’t now how long ah could stay”, an upset Chapman told this newspaper adding that she has no money and life has been rough for her.
She said that she sells eatables in the community to help sustain her children and it is even harder since one of them goes to an East Bank Demerara school.
