Self-help commission gives grants to 194 families

More than 100 families can now look forward to a more comfortable Christmas after the National Commission For Self Help Ltd gave out purchase orders for home refurbishments.

The grants were distributed to 194 families during at a ceremony at Signature Hall in Montrose, Chaguanas, on Friday. They were from areas such as Fyzabad, San Fernando, Point Fortin, La Brea, Siparia, Tabaquite, Caroni, Moruga, Tableland, Oropouche, Couva, Chaguanas, Mayaro, Naparima, Pointe-a-Pierre and Princes Town,

Sport and Community Development Minister Shamfa Cudjoe told the recipients they were lucky to receive such assistance at a time when funding has been difficult to come by.

She said, “Despite our economic circumstance, we keep social support alive and kicking so that there is always a lifeline, there is always a glimmer of hope, and showing that we truly care for the disadvantaged people.

“In every community there are people who need help, but there are some who need more help than others. The Government remains committed to ensuring that the necessary assistance is extended to the least fortunate among us, the poor and the destitute. The true essence of development lies not in infrastructural development only, but also investing in our greatest resource – our people.”

Cudjoe warned the recipients not to abuse the grants, but to use them for the intended purpose.

“It is not free money. These grants have been funded by taxpayers' dollars which could have been used towards building more roads, buildings, drains, and other types of physical infrastructure. But we chose to directly invest in the people.

“In light of covid19, state administrations all over the world have been forced to make huge budgetary cuts and limit social support. I am pleased that this government has decided to ramp up social assistance and re-engineer the systems to ensure that all our citizens have a chance and that no one is left behind.”

Cudjoe added that Government was working to provide food cards, public disability support, senior citizen grants, water-tank assistance, latrine eradication, agriculture and small business grants, free education, and support to community groups and NGOs.

A pensioner, who wished only to be identified as Lynette, said she was pleased with the timeframe in which the commission processed her application.

She told Newsday the grant will allow her to adapt her home to accommodate her mobility issues.

Lynette said, “It is a blessing to receive this grant, especially during this time, when covid19 has made things so difficult.”

Nearly $1.2 million was distributed as part of the minor repairs and reconstruction grant and the emergency repair and reconstruction assistance grant, the commission said.

People seeking help can visit the commission's new office in Marabella from January.