Callers offer help to Penal couple left homeless after fire

Help has been trickling in for a Penal couple who lost their home in a fire earlier this month.

Taxi driver Ramsaran Dhanraj has been sleeping under a sheet of galvanise, and his wife Indra Ramkissoon is staying with relatives.

They said they were thankful for the support they have been offered since Newsday reported their story on Tuesday, but it would be a long road to recovery.

Dhanraj also lost his source of income, as his car was also destroyed by the fire on November 4. The couple has lived at Sou Sou Land, Penal Rock Road in a wooden and concrete house for the past ten years.

Newsday highlighted the couple’s story on Tuesday and Dhanraj said he has since received a lot of phone calls offering help.

He said, “People have been calling from all over, from San Fernando to Princes Town. People were calling to find out what we needed. They said they will check me during the week. People said they would bring us some groceries and clothes.

"We are hoping for the best and thankful for the help. We really need these things.”

Dhanraj said by Thursday he hoped to start laying down the building blocks which were donated by his church, the Penal Seventh Day Adventist Church.

“We got some help from the church already and this has boosted our faith. We are holding on. They gave us some blocks and offered to help with the construction work. We really appreciate it.

“We need additional material for the roof, like galvanise, I-beams, purlins, windows, door frames and doors.”

Dhanraj said they also tried to get assistance from the Penal Regional Corporation and the National Self Help Commission (NSHC), but were unsuccessful.

Contacted by Newsday on Tuesday afternoon, CEO of NSHC Elroy Julien said he would look into the matter on Wednesday and try to get it dealt with as soon as possible.

Anyone wishing to helpt can call the couple at 355-0525 or 389-2789.