by Jude Knight

Last Christmas four DaSouza children – Natasha, Natesha, Courtney and Chevonna -were still recovering from shock.

Their mother, Pamela, was taken away in the most brutal of slayings, right before their eyes, on August 17, 2003, in St. Michael, Barbados. {{more}} Then they were stunned by the news that they would have to leave their home and friends in Barbados and relocate to St. Vincent and the Grenadines with grandparents Albon, 71, and Vectorine, 70, at Overland.

Overland, a Carib village just across the Dry River in Sandy Bay, is on the windward side of mainland St. Vincent.

Since then, grandparents Albon and Vectorine, poor and reeling from the loss of their daughter, were now saddled with the responsibility of feeding and caring for four siblings, in their tiny, wooden, one-room shack they called home.

With the help of Timothy Slinger, news editor at the Nation Newspaper in Barbados, and myself, chief sub editor at Searchlight, and William “Kojah” Anthony, assistant news editor, also of Searchlight, the story broke about the plight of this family in August this year. The Nation Newspaper was able to raise funds along with clothes and other items, while here in St. Vincent people have taken the long trek to Overland bearing gifts.

Among these good Samaritans were Philip and Michelle Edwards and David and Christine Clarke of Living Room Ministries, a cell-based Christian organisation in Barbados, who linked with Vincentian businessman Oswald Veira of General & Maritime Agencies Limited, who agreed to oversee funds to build a new, more spacious, wall structure for the DaSouzas. And the plan was to give the family this new house for Christmas.

Nothing could completely remove the pain and suffering that almost consumed this family late last year, but at least this present would remind them that people still care and would assist in helping them play this most cruel hand dealt to them.

So far, through financial help from Living Room Ministries, the structure has reached near roof level. But more assistance is needed to complete this house before Christmas as funds are running low. There was also another setback when cement was in short supply recently. And two hard-working builders, who have been working at a salary of $420 per week still have to be paid.

On a positive note though, it is evident the well-being of these children, both physical and mental, has been greatly improved and they are on the road to recovery. And this more comfortable structure will most certainly improve the standing of these growing children.

This Christmas, the grandparents are praying for the house to be completed to move the children into, and a television set so they could sit back and watch the news.

Strange enough, though, each one of the career choices enunciated by the children, below, is one of service. To succeed in each, one must be helpful, caring and understanding. After what they witnessed, no wonder they chose those fields.