Emergency response by Minister of the People and Social Development
In response to the plight of senior citizens Mr. Ramdeo Toolsie of Cumuto, the Lalla Family of Freeport featured on CNC3 News and Ms. Sandra Joseph who was featured on Crimewatch, Minister of the People and Social Development, Dr the Honourable Glenn Ramadharsingh visited the homes of these persons on Friday 12th July, 2013.
Minister Ramadharsingh was accompanied by a team of Ministry officials from Delivery Units such as Social Welfare Division, Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (TCCTP), National Social Development Programme (NSDP), URP Social and the People Issues Resolution Coordinating Unit (PIRCU).
· Mr. Toolsie, sixty four (64) years, who recently suffered a stroke, lives in a dilapidated structure without electricity or proper sanitation which is infested by rodents.
· The Lalla family lives in Calcutta Settlement Freeport. Mr. Manha Lala has been bedridden for the past two (2) years. The family of three lives in a small home without electricity or running water, are unemployed, and unable to provide medical care for Mr. Lalla.
· Sandra Joseph was featured on Crimewatch and is the breadwinner for her five (5) grandchildren who lost their mother. Her home is situated by a ravine which constantly floods.
During the visit Mr. Toolsie was presented with a Temporary TTCard to assist him with his immediate nutritional needs. Social Workers from the PIRCU were also on site and an officer was assigned to offer any necessary psycho-social support. Officials from the NSDP also visited the home to provide assistance with infrastructural needs.
A Social Worker from the PIRCU was assigned to the Lalla family and the NSDP will be visiting their home to assess infrastructural needs.
Sandra Joseph received a Temporary TTCard while her permanent TTCard is being processed. She also received clothing from the URP Social’s Make A Smile Shine (M.A.S.S) for the family. Her grandchildren have been referred to the National Family Services (NFS) for further assistance.