Widow Support TT says it has been overwhelmed by requests from families who have been struggling during the pandemic for help with food items and electronic devices.
Speaking during a simple distribution ceremony yesterday of 30 food hampers to families of students attending Naparima Girls’ High School, founder Soraya Nanan said, “Oh My God, overwhelming responses since June of this year. Families have been reaching out to us, widows, widowers, single parents reaching out to us literally begging us for assistance. So what we have been doing besides giving out hampers, we gave out also laptops and tablets.”
With school reopening next month, she said they intend to launch a school book drive because there are several unemployed parents who cannot afford to purchase books.
The group decided to help students of Naparima Girls’ after learning that some students have been receiving monthly assistance from the school during the pandemic.
Nanan was told that some of them lost their belongings in a fire while some of their parents lost their jobs. The hampers which consists of a variety of food items are expected to last the families two months.
The group assists widows, widowers, single parents, needy families as well as domestic violence survivors. Vice president Annmarie Hassanali said they have plans for other activities, but they are waiting for the restrictions to be lifted and the all-clear to be given by the medical professionals and the government.
“We have bigger things in store. When things are open back and it is safe to do so we want to have a yoga experience for the widows. We want to have a tea party. We are hoping to have a poor man’s dinner to raise funds to help supplement all our efforts in the future. Today we are launching a bookmark. It is our effort to raise funds through this bookmark to help us in our continued efforts,” Hassanali said. Thanking widows for their tireless efforts in raising their families on their own, Hassanali added, “I want to let you know that Widow Support TT is here to help you on your journey.”
Only last Saturday the group donated food hampers to needy families at South Oropouche and on July 24 they gave out hampers and laptops at Claxton Bay.
The group also intends to distribute another batch of laptops and hampers this month again in the Claxton Bay area.
Anyone wishing to donate or requires assistance can contact Widow Support TT through its social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or widowtt@gmail.com or call 689-8225 or 685-7467.