BASSETERRE, St. Kitts –IT has been a week since the devastating February 13 fire in Sandy Point and the home of the distraught Burt family is seeing significant repairs by the community.
From the crack of dawn last Saturday (Feb. 20), the sound of busily chatting volunteers, loud hammering, sawing and drilling drew dozens of community members to the Burt home. The family lost everything in the fire, including two of its youngest members: Demary Browne, six, and Kevel Francis, two.
Community involvement was obvious as young and old came to assist the family in what organizers called “a demonstration of Sandy Point’s altruism”.
The men were busy fixing the roof, windows and doors while the women helped by mixing cement, carrying boards and buckets to and from the site and were instrumental in cooking and sharing food for the hard workers.
Even the teens and children, who have not yet mastered the skills of construction and carpentry, were willing to run errands and clear the site of scrap while taking the opportunity to learn a new skill.
Within hours, damaged windows and doors were replaced, half of the roof, which was destroyed in the fire, was taken off and replaced with brand new material and contractors cut a doorway into the back wall, making three exits to the three-bedroom home.
Representative of the Sandy Point-based Community Improvement and Personal Empowerment Organization (CIPEO) Cyndie Demming told SKNVibes that the response was phenomenal, but noted that there is still much more work to be done.
“I am just overwhelmed with the support we have received from the community. People came out since before 7:00 a.m. and were willing to start work. And, even those who couldn’t do much, they made sure they were there to give moral support to the family. Those who worked in the kitchen must be thanked. Everyone was really helpful,” she told SKNVibes.
Demming, who has been spearheading the relief effort for the Burt family, informed that the renovation project is still in need of electrical supplies, a kitchen door, materials to build cupboards and contributions of a fridge and a stove.
A bank account named ‘Burt Family Relief Fund’ with an account number 122301278 has been opened at the St. Kitts-Nevis-Anguilla National Bank, Sandy Point branch and all monetary donations should be lodged in that account to assist the family.
Volunteers power-washed the home yesterday (Feb. 21) and plumbing and painting are expected to be completed within two days. The home will be fitted with new kitchen and bathroom facilities.
The project drew some of the area’s best tradesmen including Aaron Richards, Vincent Edwards, Trevor Richards, Kenrick Duncan, Johnnie Heyliger, Kevin Richardson, Allan Rogers, Rawlston Rogers and Mervin Matthew. Volunteers also came from G Squared Arts and SKNYPA and everyone was able to enjoy boxes of doughnuts donated by Rituals Coffee House.
Constituency Number Five Representative Shawn Richards, joined by his party leader Lindsay Grant and fellow politician Junie Hodge, all contributed to the repairs through both financial contributions and manual labour.
A public funeral service for the two children will take place today (Feb. 22) at the Sandy Point Methodist Church, but work on the home is expected to continue this week with the view to return the family to the home within a month.
