Christmas was extra special this year for 18 children in Arima, Trinidad. Each slept in their own bunk bed for the first time Christmas Eve. For Christmas dinner, everyone was able to sit around the new big table. Food was able to be prepared in the new kitchen and dishes can now be washed in the new stainless steel sinks. Home, sweet home!
What does it mean to a child to have a reliable home, a family that loves and cares for them and food to eat, a real bed to sleep in, a table where everyone can sit together to have a meal, a home where the landlord will not threaten eviction and going to the same school each term. These all are desirable goals. These were the aims of Leris Kerr and her husband Darvin when they moved 18 children from Tobago and to Darvin's family home in Arima Trinidad three years ago. The house was small but the backyard was large enough to allow an addition sufficient to accommodate the children! The Rotary Club of Piarco stepped forward to help. The Rotary Club of Truro has helped by providing two instalments of money used to purchase building materials. 'Auntie' Leris and Darvin's aim was to have the children in their new beds in the new addition for Christmas 2009. It is surprising how resilient the children have been. When they moved from Tobago to Trinidad, we found while visiting them, that they didn't seem to notice having moved! Auntie Leris, on the other hand, was stressed, losing her hair and worrying if everything would come together! In the pictures, you will see the children sitting around the new table, in their beds and proudly showing their new home. From Auntie Leris to the Rotary Club of Truro... The money will go towards building the kitchen cupboards (as shown in the pictures) and electricals that needs to be finished. The ceiling was completed but we did not pay the company because we did not have the funds. They did it because they wanted the children to get their rooms in time for the christmas. The windows are presently cardboard box but we also will try to get the glasses done. You will also see the baby we got. Please express to the club our sincere thanks and appreciation for their support to this work. One of the things I always want to mentioned is the fact that we believe that children should grow up in a home environment and we are really trying to give them this. Love you always and tell us what you think of the pictures and all the work done. From Auntie Leris, Arima, Trinidad History:These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google. Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/ If you are having problems viewing this email, copy and paste the following into your browser: http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=sorflaten.lydiaandallan2&target=ALBUM&id=5375746282922344385&authkey=Gv1sRgCInS3JSC6-e4BQ&feat=email
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