Single mother and her children’s lives changed by a timely intervention by Regional Police

A FEW months ago, the thought of owning her own home seemed impossible and beyond her reach, but kind people came together and constructed a lovely two-bedroom house for Malika Thomas and her two children.

Thomas, a single mother of two, is a resident of Prosville, Wismar, Linden and she is very happy to be in her own house which is also furnished. Her dream of owning her home became a reality when the region’s police stepped in along with stakeholders.

It was during a police outreach to the village that ranks were dismayed at the living conditions of Thomas and her two small children who were living in a small concrete shop without doors or windows,and exposed to the elements.

The shop is a small structure that is incomplete and Thomas, who had nowhere to go, was forced to stay there for three months before she had a breakthrough.

The 26-year-old seemed very happy in her new home and she is indeed very thankful to the police and the others who made it happen.

She plans to get a job so she can provide for her children and get herself organised to rebuild her once shattered life.

Thomas is a victim of domestic abuse and suffered at the hands of her abuser for many years before she finally mustered the courage to leave.

On August 6, 2021, the brand new two-bedroom furnished house was officially handed over to Thomas and her children by Police Commander Hugh Winter, who was present to cut the ribbon, signalling the opening of the house.

Presently she is unemployed and would depend on hand-outs from people in the neighbourhood, but she wants to change all that by getting a job to put food on the table and pay her bills.

“I feel very fortunate because this house is a gift for life and it is time I change my life around for the better because I prayed for this miracle and it happened, so I want my children to have a good life and we will take care of this house,” she said.

The house came with electricity and a black tank that stores rainfall water for home use and has indoor washroom facilities.

Reliving her ordeal of being homeless, Thomas said that at times she had very little to nothing to eat and neighbours would step in and give them a meal and often, she felt defeated because she could not help herself.

She contemplated suicide, but then she prayed and the police visited and they saw her need and worked towards providing her a house.

Thomas told the Pepperpot Magazine that she is beyond grateful and whenever she talks about it she is moved to tears because today she is a homeowner and it goes to show that dreams do come true.

“I was desperate and I had nothing or nowhere to go, but God saw my need because he knows my heart and send people to help me and my children and for that I have faith and I believe that my suffering has come to an end,” she said.

Thomas disclosed that to get, one must give, and it is the thought that counts. She wants to encourage women who may be trapped in similar situations in life to get out of abusive relationships because life is worth living despite the challenges of walking away from everything.

At the opening ceremony, Regional Commander Senior Superintendent Hugh Winter said the initiative to construct the house was set in gear after ranks, during an outreach to the community in January, met with the mother and saw her unfavourable living conditions.

However, in January, the entire administrative team visited the location and after speaking in depth with Thomas, it was decided she needed help and they reached out to stakeholders for assistance.

“On arrival, we were taken aback at the living conditions of Malika and her two daughters. Initially, we had planned to build a toilet and a bath, but with the inspiration of God, we reached out to our stakeholders who assisted in the realisation of Malika’s dream of obtaining her own home,” Winter noted.

The commander said after he and his administrative team decided to assist, the project commenced on February 15, 2021.

Thomas, who was emotional at the opening ceremony, expressed gratitude for being a homeowner with a furnished house.

She made the promise to take good care of the home. Thomas revealed that she lost her mother at a tender age and reminisced on sad times she spent in her former home as she looks forward to a brighter future for her and her children.

The children were also awarded tablets and other tokens were presented to the family by community stakeholders at the opening ceremony.