By Nafeeza Yahya-Sakur
SIXTY-eight-year old Arai Permaul, popularly known as “Auntie Merlin”, only has one wish – to have a comfortable house to sleep in – one that does not flood when it rains.

Three years ago, Permaul’s two-storey wooden house at Lot 3 Princeton, Corriverton, came crashing down on her during heavy winds; at the time, she was sleeping upstairs. She was trapped inside and could not move. She was rescued and rushed to the hospital with a broken arm and other injuries to her body.

Hospitalised and no financial means to rebuild her house, Permaul’s son-in-law utilised wood and zinc and made a make-shift shack. Permaul hoped that her financial situation would improve but three years later, it only became worse.

In tears, the woman stated that when it rains, inside the shack is flooded and she often has to fight off snakes.
“I would appreciate any help. I just want one place [to] rest. Nighttime, [I can’t] sleep. [I] just a light one coil and pray fuh morning come. Meh ah frighten in here,” a tearful Permaul told the Sunday Chronicle.

Permaul is the mother of four children, but they no longer reside with her, however, they assist the best they can, as they, too, barely have the means to survive day to day.

Permaul is currently unemployed; she relies on her monthly pension to survive. Meanwhile, a foundation based in Berbice, ‘Rose for Relief’, learnt of Permaul’s story from one of her sons-in-law, who is a carpenter. He approached the foundation for help to assist with the materials to construct the woman’s house.
Rosanna Mohamed, founder of the foundation, has taken up the task and is now seeking support from donors to gather the necessary resources to make Permaul’s dream a reality.

Mohamed said they will be building an 18 x 20 flat concrete house with toilet, bath and other amenities inside. She has managed to get 400 blocks so far and is seeking help to garner more materials such as blocks, cement, zinc, steel rods and wood. Persons desirous of assisting Permaul can contact telephone numbers, 670-6908 and 695-8062.