The Reduce Reuse Recycle Barbados Charity, headed by businessman Anderson Cherry, issued a statement today to give an update on the Luke family, whose dire living conditions came to light last month.
Cherry and social media personality Jordan English stepped in to assist the St Philip family.
However, their efforts were halted when owners of the property stopped intended renovations. Cherry and English vowed to continue to assist Katura Luke and her children.
Please see below an edited version of the statement:
It’s been a little less than three weeks since the story relating to the family at Diamond Valley, St Philip has been in the public eye.
On behalf of the Reduce Reuse Recycle Barbados Charity, we write today to update interested people.
The Luke Family is doing well,
they have enjoyed an extended stay at the Crane Hotel, which went a long way toward reducing the stressors each member
of the family faced on a
daily basis.
We are however pleased to advise that they will be temporarily relocated to a house in St Philip that has been prepared to ensure they remain as comfortable as possible. The three-bedroom, one bathroom house has been fully furnished.
The home will be maintained with donations such as sponsored water, gas and electricity costs, food supplies, appliances and furnishings. We want to offer special thanks to acknowledge the huge efforts of those who stood up and continue to stand with the Luke family:
• Neil Rowe [Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs] and his office for their unwavering drive toward improving this family’s situation, not just their physical surroundings but all aspects of their well-being.
• Sophia Nassief-Kong from Gajah donated living and dining room furnishings.
• The Reduce Reuse Recycle Barbados Charity donated furnishings for the bedroom and kitchen.
• The Crane Beach Hotel offered accommodation hours after the first alarm was sounded.
• Cost-U-Less gave supplies
• Social media personality, Jordan English and his team; their actions coupled with their followers’ compassion brought this grave situation to the public eye. His efforts are a positive reinforcement that young people can be the catalyst for change.
• Bishop Joseph Atherley, has pledged to support the family’s spiritual well-being.
• Others who have pledged support in the medical arena, food and other supplies.
The next phase is marked by hopefully providing the Luke family with a home with the assistance of Member of Parliament fo the area, Indar Weir.
The journey ahead for the Luke family is by no means over. They will still require ongoing support . . . to ensure their path is sufficiently vectored toward self-sufficiency.
Anyone wishing to assist the family can contact the Reduce Reuse Recycle Barbados Charity at 427-3873. (PR)
