Since his home burnt down a week ago, Randolph Sankar has been sleeping in a hammock near the ruins of his home near the Motiram Shiva Mandir in Debe.
And while devotees pray daily at the mandir, Sankar also makes supplications to God with the hope that his home would be rebuilt one day.
Standing amid the ruins, Sankar said he lives at the house with his mother Elvira Sankar, 72, but on the day before Divali holiday (November 6), a fire broke out upstairs.
“We were both sleeping when the fire started. I couldn’t do anything. The house burnt down within an hour,” Sankar said.
Elvira said since the fire she has been staying at her daughter’s home.
“It hard to know everything you worked hard for is gone. We could not save anything. Everything destroyed,” Elvira said.
Around midday on Monday, Oropouche MP Dr Roodal Moonilal brought construction materials to help rebuild part of the family’s home. Moonilal said once the T&T Fire Services gave clearance, the ruins can be demolished.
“So far, we have brought some construction materials so they can rebuild the shed. I understand now that the gentleman has no clothes so we will look to see what sort of assistance can be given to him. Once the house is given clearance by the Fire Services we can start to clear it out. At least for now, they will be able to get shelter,” Moonilal said.
He added that by Wednesday he will arrange to get labourers to assist the family. Moonilal also said he will make representation for the family to apply for assistance from the Ministry of Social Development.
Anyone wanting to assist the family can contact Elvira at 499-2110 or 739-4182.