Home being constructed for linden fire victims

The Cato family, that lost their home to fire in Dageraad Avenue earlier this year, will soon move into their own home in Amelia’s Ward Linden, with the help of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and other stakeholders. Since the fire that occured in May, the family, which includes a single mother, Shellon Cato and her three children, ages six, 10 and 14, was seeking refuge at the Dorfolk Home, with the permission from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). Since that was only a temporary arrangement, Cato and her children over the last few months have been searching for land to build a house on, since they were not allowed to return to Dageraad Avenue residence, as a result of a family dispute. She secured a plot of land in Amelia’s Ward and with the help of volunteers, construction has begun. In fact, they have been even camping out there without any electricity for days at a time, to complete this project.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Linden, took initiative in this project, to help raise funds and collect material for this home. While Miss Cato is trying her best to construct the home, limited financing is making it a struggle, since she is a security guard attached to Home Safe Security Service.

The Imam, Fahd Peerzada was the lead organiser in this project and was able to collect funds from Guyana and the diaspora. However, the project is still a far way to go and more resources are needed to complete the house.

Miss Cato expressed appreciation for all the help she has received thus far. “I need to be responsible for my kids, I don’t need to be a mother who would run away and leave my children, I need to see my children get big and living a better life,” she said.

Last Wednesday, members of the  Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, the Mayor of Linden,Waneka Arrindell;  Region 10 Police Commander, Hugh Winter  and other stakeholders, visited the house that is under construction,  in an effort to raise awareness so that others may also have the opportunity to contribute tangibly. “The home is coming along quite well but there is still some work that has to be done,” said Imam Fahd Peerzada, Regional Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at.

The house that the Cato’s resided in, was the second home the family lost to fire. A total of 11 persons resided there at the time.