00:00To some, inhabiting the house behind me might be considered living in squalor, but for 61-year-old Beverly Birbal, it's a sense of accomplishment, of ownership. However, she's now forced to flee.
00:15Birbal's worries begin as she, her 18-year-old son and 12-year-old granddaughter, enter the door of their home at First Hamlet Race St. Bob's, Laventil. The jagged fractures can be found through every part of the three-room structure that is covered in concrete. The areas that are replaced by wood are worn, eaten away, collapsing on the inside and out.
00:41You see the board, everything is just, it's like paper. It's like paper and it makes no sense, I'm stressing about something, what, and then I might die and leave it, so it's best I'll live with it and don't stress. I just trust in God that something will come to you to help me fix it over because it's mine and I don't have to parent, you know, and I mean, my mother never get the chance to really own anything and I get the opportunity to do it and I'm really thankful for it.
01:09After all, Birbal has lived there for the past 34 years through a rental arrangement, which led to her being eventually able to purchase the home. But under the present circumstances, she can no longer endure the serious risk, not only to her life, but also that of her dependents.
01:27Birbal, who was employed at a home for the age, lost her job last year and is now employed one day per week as a caretaker of an elderly woman. At $200 for the day, her monthly income totals $800 and she is not at pensionable age.
01:45You have found a place to rent. If you don't mind me asking, what is your rent like and how difficult is that going to be for you now?
01:55Well, boy, with God's help, I believe it will work it out. The rent is not much, it's $1,000 a month, so I really thank God for that.
02:03You know, so, you know, I just had to, I don't know, it will, I don't know, God will work it out somehow.
02:08She attributes the place standing for so long to God. And while her home falls apart, her faith remains intact.
02:26Birbal's son is soon to graduate from secondary school. Her granddaughter just sat the SEA exams and is awaiting her results.
02:34Birbal has been caring for her since her mom, Birbal's daughter.
02:38Her daughter passed away several years ago.
02:40Ms. Beverly, have you ever reached out to any of the authorities, whether it be the National Commission for Self-Help, your MP's office, any government agency?
02:49Well, it's people, it's people like, I don't want to go there. But I went to self-help. I had it in very long.
02:57I even went back Monday. Monday, I went back to them and they said they will come and see the place, well, they said next week, I don't know.
03:07Ironically, the only part of the home that is in a fairly good condition is the toilet and bath.
03:14That was constructed under the lattering eradication program and was simply attached to the outside of the dilapidated home.
03:21I will really like to get help completely. I don't want to rent too long, you know, because, you know, I have to gather the money somehow to give the people.
03:31They were so nice, so give me that price.
03:34TV6 News reached out to the new Member of Parliament for Laventill West, Kareem Marcel.
03:40Marcel requested Birbal's information, which TV6 News provided.
03:44He says he will look into her situation.
03:47Alicia Boucher, TV6 News.
03:49It's fucking everything, Vaultle won't like it.
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