Three families of Rose Hall Town, Williamsburg and Port Mourant were the recipient of the keys to their new homes. This was made possible by Food for the Poor Guyana (FFTPG) and St. Francis Community Developers.

Jennifer Henry, recipient of the home at Williamsburg, Corentyne Berbice said it is a dream come true for her.

“I am so glad that you did a wonder for me where I couldn’t. I didn’t had faith; I was giving up that I wasn’t going to get this. I must say thanks that if it wasn’t for God and Mr.Foster I would have given up but there is a God and he granted me this wish.”

A visit to her home, shows a well decorated yard with flowers planted to the sides and the mother of six comfortably occupying her new home.

The other recipients are Samantha Fraser and Mr. Veerapen and family. Speaking at the handing over ceremony, which was held recently at the St. Francis Community Developers, Rose Hall Town, Senior Project Officer FFTPG, Andrea Benjamin related that the housing programme offered by the origination was designed to provide assistance to underprivileged families in need of adequate shelter; it allows families to realize their dreams of owning their homes and a safe and secure structure.

The flat house consist of two bedrooms, indoor bathroom facilities and a water component system. In addition to the house, the three families were given a king size mattress and a table model stove.

Benjamin, during her address to those gathered emphasized the importance of adequate housing while noting the struggles by average Guyanese to access finances for the construction of homes.

“Adequate housing is fundamental to improving living conditions among the poor and low income families improved living conditions equate to poverty alleviation and economic development without adequate shelter families can be condemned to poverty, poor health, and low education.”

She mentioned also that funding for the housing programmes solely comes from donors in the USA, through FFTP Headquarters located in Florida.

Also in attendance at the handing over ceremony was Deputy Chief of

Mission, US Embassy Terry Steers-Gonzalez who congratulated the three recipients. He also thanked food for the Poor for their sustained efforts to make living conditions better for the wonderful people of Guyana.

Meanwhile, President of St. Francis Community, Alex Foster noted that his organisation is working with the Guyana Lands and Survey to procure a plot of land to begin the construction of a Village in Region 6, which will have 50 housing units.

By September 2017, it is hoped that a total 50 families will become the beneficiary of the new homes.