Drive-by shooting victim gets help

Rampiarie Parbhoo, 65, who was hit by a stray bullet in her bedroom in San Fernando two months ago, is now getting much of the help she needs.

She has received a grant from the National Commission of Self Help and assistance from the community.

On Monday Parbhoo received a grant of $10,000 to begin repairs to her home.

One good Samaritan contacted the family and has promised to replace the bullet-riddled front door of Parbhoo’s home. Others are expected to visit the family soon to help with materials.

Counsellors have also been assigned to help Parbhoo. She had her first counselling session on Thursday.

Parbhoo’s plight was highlighted by Newsday after her children said their mother, who was once cheerful and full of life, had been withdrawn and sad since she was shot.

Her daughter Vidya said that with all the help coming in, her mother is feeling a sense of hope.

“It is the first time since I have seen my mother’s smile return. There are really angels living among us.

"On behalf of my mother, I want to say thank you so much to the National Commission for Self-help, the counsellors who are now helping her, and all those people who have promised to visit us to help. We are so grateful.”

Vidya said the grant is a start.

“We all are so poor we can’t help our mother, as we are also struggling. Even a door that still has the bullet holes on it we could not replace. I am so thankful that one person has made arrangements to buy and replace the door.”

On October 27 Parbhoo was asleep in her one-room home at Picton Street, Diamond Village. A bullet passed through the front door in a drive-by shooting and hit her in the abdomen.

The bullet is still inside her. Relatives said because of where the bullet was, medical staff said it would be risky to operate and are waiting for the position of the bullet to change.