Vernon Alibey, 54, who has end-stage renal failure, is hoping for a Christmas miracle that will enable him financially support his three children ages six, 11 and 14.
Alibey’s health challenges began in 2000 when he was hospitalised for three months and found out that both his kidneys had failed. Ill health forced him to give up his job at Rotoplastics Trinidad Limited. He now undergoes dialysis treatment three days a week, with each session lasting an average of three and a half hours.
The single parent, who lives in Arouca, applied for financial aid for his three children and began receiving a total of $1,900 a month. However, he has not received a cheque since June.
“For whatever reason, I stopped getting the cheques and no explanation has been given to me from the Ministry of Social Development as to why they stopped the cheques. I have no money now to see about my children and when they are going to school I have to find $40 a day for them,” Alibey said.
“It is very tough because food-wise as well too, the bills are tremendous and I really hope that this season would have brought some sort of miracle by the Ministry of Social Development in terms of the money for the little assistance that I applied for.
“I hope that it does register in somebody’s mind in the Social Development Ministry that it’s not any scam. I am just trying to survive.”
Alibey broke down in tears as he expressed concern about the welfare of his children.
“It’s hard. I know I’m going to die. I have seen people with my condition old and young dying and going and I know I will die soon but I want my children to be okay and assisted by the government because I cannot do it all on my own,” he said
He said in recent months he has been trying to get the ministry to resume sending the cheques.
“I’m being told to get another medical certificate. I went to the doctor and got one stating that my condition is permanent despite the fact that I had already had one given to me since March this year.
“Now I got another one in November and still up to now the ministry cannot sign off on anything yet and resume the financial help for my children. It’s all I need. I need to get things for them for school, food, etc.”
Alibey appealed for the personal intervention of Social Development Minister Donna Cox. When contacted, Cox promised to look into Alibey’s case.