Boxer, father demolish Claxton Bay home after eviction notice

AFTER a final warning from the Commissioner of State Lands, Christopher Wolfe and his 13-year-old daughter, national junior boxer Shirley Wolfe demolished the one-room shack they had been occupying for the last ten years on the Southern Main Road in Claxton Bay.

Wolf said he had tried to hold on as long as possible in the hope of receiving a house from the Housing Development Corporation, before reaching the point of his home being demolished.

“After I received that telephone call on Thursday that I had to leave or my structure will be demolished, I did not have a choice. The options were either they came and demolished, or I break it down myself and save my sheets of galvanize.”
He said he can still use the galvanize sheets.

With the help of his daughter, Wolfe said he used a hammer and tore down his home.

“I could not afford to pay anyone. I watched my daughter cry. It was the only home she knew of. Yes, we are poor, but this was our shelter over the years.”

Three weeks ago, a team of field officers from the HDC visited the family to do an assessment. This came after Newsday published a story in October in which Wolfe pleaded for a new home on behalf of himself, wife Angel Matthew, Shirley and her two siblings, Austin, two, and Diamond, four.

Wolfe said the family is now separated and he and Shirley are staying with his sister temporarily in Claxton Bay while Matthew has now moved to her mother’s home.

“From the day I got that eviction notice I watched my life change before my eyes. Now my family is separated. My sister can only accommodate us for so long at her place.
"Dealing with the pandemic and now losing our home. This year has been filled with tribulation.”

Wolfe said he has not been able to sleep at night comfortably.
“What keeps me going is my daughter, watching Shirley watching videos of boxers and training every day trying to master her skill. knowing that one day she will make it big. I will continue to stay strong for her despite the obstacles that come in my way.”

Wolf publicly thanked all those who called to offer words of encouragement to Shirley and donate food.
“You all have been a blessing to us. I can’t even begin to thank you all. I am praying that very soon we will get a house to call our own. I am praying my prayers are answered.”