Volcano displaced residents happy with new homes

Residents who were recently handed the keys to their new houses at Orange Hill, are settling quite nicely.

The houses, which were built by the government, in conjunction with the Mustique Charitable Trust, were handed over on September 26 to some of the persons who were displaced during the April 2021 eruptions of La Soufriere.

SEARCHLIGHT visited the new housing development on Tuesday, October 17, and by this time, some residents had already planted flowers garden to enhance the beauty of their new home.

At some of the houses, items of clothing were already hung out to dry, as the transformation of the Orange Hill estate continues.

Residents with whom SEARCHLIGHT spoke, were full of praise to the government, for improving their standard of living. One resident, Emily Browne, said she had “nowhere to go” when the all clear was given months after the eruptions.

Browne said she and her family previously lived in a two-bedroom concrete house at Trench Town in Sandy Bay.

The house was situated near to a river and she said during the eruptions, “my whole house mash up”.

Because of its closeness to the river, the threat of lahars and other natural hazards, it was not wise to repair the house, or to rebuild it on site.

As such, the family was included among the 68 families to be relocated as a result of the eruptions.

Browne is the mother of four adult children, including a daughter who is physically challenged.

After moving out of the emergency shelter, the family was housed in an apartment in Brighton until last month, when they were handed the keys to their brand new home.

“I am so happy now, thanks to the Mustique Charitable Trust, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, Mr [Montgomery] Daniel and Mr [Orande] Brewster.”

“I thank each and every one of them; I am very very grateful,” Browne said with delight.

Speaking about her new surroundings at Orange Hill, the mother of four said “It is quite nice, I love the village and I hope it stays nice and quiet like this.”

Browne said her family moved into their new home before they even got water and electricity connections.

The houses now have water and electricity and the residents are very happy.

Before being given a home at Orange Hill, Inola Byron lived at Overland with her three adult sons.

Prior to the eruptions, she lived in a three-bedroom wooden house.

This was destroyed by the volcano, and Byron and her family were housed at the old Sandy Bay Secondary School building.

Now that she has received a brand new house, Byron said she is happy and satisfied.

“Me feel happy and me satisfy with the house.”

The new home owner said she feels good and is thankful to the government and the Mustique Charitable Trust for transforming her life.