Verbena overjoyed

THE NATIONAL ASSISTANCE BOARD (NAB) has come to the rescue of 74-year-old Verbena Shepherd.

Last week, the SUNDAY SUN highlighted the deplorable housing conditions of the elderly woman, who has been living at Prerogative, St George, in a house given to her by the NAB 25 years ago.

Yesterday, chairman of the agency, Pastor David Durant, visited the house with Colleen Walcott, assistant director of the NAB, and Yvonne Jackman, deputy chairman, where he expressed shock at how Shepherd was living.

After going into the rat-infested house that was littered with bags upon bags of old clothes and old furniture, Durant said he was horrified.

“I have a plan and I will start working on that plan today because she must be relocated,” he said as an overjoyed Shepherd stood by his side.

He explained that the NAB had given her the house 25 years ago but in 2003 they went out of the housing programme.

“So Rural (Rural Development Corporation) is more responsible for this now and therefore this was out of our radar for the longest while,” he said, adding that once it was an elderly person the NAB would still continue to debush around their home.

A delighted Shepherd burst out in laughter and hugged Durant. “I feel good, good, good,” she gushed, saying she was ready to leave.

Walcott assured that they would continue to monitor the elderly woman and co-ordinate with the other agencies that will be involved in her relocation process. (MB)