Families in Diego Martin were the latest to benefit from Grants from the National Self Help Commission Limited.
Several residents who attended Thursday’s Grant Distribution Ceremony at the North Diego Martin Community Centre shared just how timely the call came for material to repair structures in or near their homes.
In his address to recipients, Chief Executive Officer of the National Self Help Commission Limited, Akino Greene, said the event was a reminder that “help is never out of reach.”
“The purpose of us being here is to distribute, in total, 12 Grants with a grand total of approximately $210,000. This effort would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, which continues to prioritise social support, community resilience, and national development.”
One of the Grant recipients, Winston Bentham, said the walkway to his home was crumbling and the funds would assist him to repair the damage.
“Where I live is a hill, and the track is very narrow and the more rain fall is the more it cave, and if I didn’t get to put up that wall it would have cave more and I would have nowhere to pass so I had to go to the Self Help to ask them for some help because me alone, it kind of hard for me. Well I already started it, they came, they saw it, and they decide to help with it.”
Another Diego Martin resident, Titus Donald from Bagatelle, said he applied for the Grant about two or three years ago.
“I have some roofing problem. The roof is a board roof right now. So, you know, I am looking to try to transform it into steel. By me getting this today, this will help me do what I have been trying to do already.”
Thursday’s Grant distribution was for residents of the Diego Martin North area and took the form of purchase orders for specific area hardware stores for material for each particular project.