HUMAN Services and Social Security Minister Ms. Jennifer Webster yesterday presented a cheque to the Hackett family of East La Penitence, Georgetown, who lost their humble abode on November 30, 2011, after a tree fell on it, killing their five-year-old daughter in the process. Following that tragic incident, the Hackett family was forced to seek refuge at various close relatives and friends.
This cheque is to assist the family to purchase wood and other construction materials to rebuild a temporary structure.
Another cheque is expected to be handed over later this week to cover purchase of plyboards and other materials from Gafoor’s.
The minister made it clear that the structure to be erected is not expected to be a permanent one, as the family is currently occupying a government reserve.
Last December, apart from covering the funeral expenses of the five-year-old girl, then Human Services Minister, Ms. Priya Manickchand, promised to assist the Hackett family in securing a house lot, for which they had already applied.
The present Human Services Minister, Ms. Jenifer Webster, is in the process of fulfilling her predecessor’s promise.
Collecting the cheque yesterday on behalf of his wife and family, Junior Hackett expressed gratitude to Minister Priya Manickchand; Director of Social Services, Whensworth Tanner; Public Works Minister Robeson Benn; and The Guyana Relief Council, who all assisted in some way during the Hackett family’s time of disaster.