V’zuelan mother feels joy, sorrow

A Venezuelan mother of two cried tears of joy and sorrow as she explained that even though she was thankful to be in TT with her one-year-old daughter and husband, her heart is aching as she had to leave her eight-year-old son behind in Venezuela, as they could not afford to bring him with them.

The family was among 99 Venezuelans found hiding in a makeshift camp in Morne Diablo, Penal two weeks ago. They were taken to the Irwin Park Sporting Complex in Siparia.

On Tuesday, the family and others moved into an apartment in Siparia. Three months of their rent were paid for by a member of the Catholic church in Siparia. And furniture and appliances were donated to them by business owners and citizens.

Osmaryelin Flores said she prayed for help for her family.

“We watched our lives change just like that in Venezuelan. My husband was an accountant in the bank. I was home taking care of the children and just like that everything changes for the worst. I remember there were days we had nothing to eat. We went around begging just like many others with children back in Venezuela,” she said, speaking through interpreter Jennifer Joan Cowie.

“We sold all we had. My husband did odd jobs and was able to make up only money for three of us as time was running out to come to TT. We had to make the most hurtful decision which was to leave our son and come to another country. I would not wish this on any parent.”

Flores said they had to leave her son Elias Amundarain in the care of relatives in Venezuela.

“Since I came here not a day goes by that I don’t cry. I am so happy to be here but yet so sad because my little boy is over there. It is so hard for us. He is so young, he does not understand. I left him crying. He wanted to go but we did not have the money,” she said, holding her baby.

Siparia Regional Corporation chairman Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh said he was moved by many of the stories, particularly Flores'.

In Spanish, he told the Venezuelans he was happy to assist them. He thanked his personal assistant Kim Quashie and the corporation CEO who were the backbone behind helping the Venezuelans.

“This is a soul searching exercise for myself. This is a wake-up call for all of us, don’t take life for granted. These people need the essentials and those who have should find it in there hearts to give.”