Family of 17 hard hit by May Day fire
Granny contemplating job
By Nigel Williams
Stabroek News
May 3, 2002
"There were times when things were really bad, with so many grandchildren and even my own children to take care of, but we used to make it. Now that our house is burnt down, the children have no clothes and all the foodstuff was destroyed. I don't know what to do," lamented Elizabeth Lovell, mother of eight and grandmother of 11, whose house was destroyed on Wednesday by the fire that left 71 persons homeless.
The Lovells were among the many families who watched helplessly as their homes went up in flames. And now that she has lost her dwelling the 60-year-old is unsure as to what would be her next move. Lovell continues to entrust her fate to God who she said was her only hope. The mother of eight had been living for over 19 years at Lot 17 Joseph Pollydore Street, Lodge. She shared the house with two other families. Lovell had occupied the three-bedroom top flat of the house with her 11 grandchildren and five daughters.
She recalled how difficult it was for her to maintain her grandchildren and still take care of her children who are all unemployed. According to her, many days the family endured severe economic crises but she kept her hopes high relying on God. Her children are Melrose now deceased, Malcolm, Madonna, Michael, Marlyn, Maureen, Melissa and Marcia. She informed that Maureen and Marlyn were at present residing in Barbados and as such she was tasked with the responsibility of nurturing their children. Maureen's children are 14-year-old Shevon, seven-year-old Michael, five-year-old Shamaine and Handel. Marlyn's children are Shevon, Shonette, Shennel, Kevin, Kevon and Kelton.
Lovell told this newspaper that when she had first moved into the area they were renting but the house had been sold and as such they had stopped paying rent. She said she had many household articles and had been in search of another house which could accommodate them all prior to Wednesday's disaster. Lovell is unemployed and does not yet receive a pension. How she takes care of 11 grandchildren and her five daughters who are living with her was a question she herself couldn't readily answer. "How I take care of them? God knows. Sometimes the girls in Barbados would send a little money. Let me tell you they really try their best, but not all times they are able to send a large sum and when there is no money we survive through the grace of God."
Lovell said that she had good relationships with her neighbours and had done many kind deeds on their behalf in the past so when she was down and out they always assisted her in whatever way they could. She was an employee of the former Customs and Excise Department and later at the State Solicitor's office before moving on to the Attorney-General's Office where she worked as an office assistant. She said that she was an industrious woman and now that she has found herself in difficult circumstances she would soon seek a job to help with her family's upkeep. Lovell also said that her grandchildren's fathers would sometimes contribute towards their welfare but their contributions were not regular. According to the 60-year-old, she loves children and it was for that reason that she was still taking care of her grandchildren. When asked how she came to have so many grandchildren to take care of, Lovell informed that her eldest daughter, Melrose, who died some time back left behind her two sons, 19-year-old Randolph and 12-year-old Kellon. Further, she said that her two daughters in Barbados went away for a better life but before they had left Guyana their children had always been under her care. She said that one of her other daughters was pregnant and expected to give birth soon which will bring the tally to 12 grandchildren.
Lovell is now at an apartment which her daughter who resides in Barbados was renting. The children were all still in the same clothing they were seen in on Wednesday, running around the open yard much to the disgust of their grandmother who constantly complained. Lovell though thankful for a place to stay, pointed out that she was not comfortable where she was and was anxious to move as early as possible. She said that her new home had two rooms, one of which was very small.
Lovell also spoke about her grandchildren's school life. She said that now that they had lost all their belongings including their school uniforms, footwear, bags, books and other items the prospect of them returning to school soon was not bright. She expressed the hope that the Guyana Relief Council and the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security would come forward to assist. "I am very concerned about these children's education, but I don't have nothing to give them right now. They have no boots, no clothes. What would they wear to school?" she asked. Lovell said that all of her children had graduated from high school and one of them, Marcia, had secured a few certificates in vocational courses which she could use to earn a livelihood. She said that the fire had left her empty-handed and what she was surviving on at present was a little help from her relatives and friends.
She recalled that about one month ago a resident in the area had made a false alarm calling the Guyana Fire Service (GFS) about a fire at the now destroyed three-flat building. She said that the fire service responded promptly and had their hoses at the ready only to be told that it was a false alarm. Lovell lamented the resident's irresponsible action. "I [had] told them that when a real fire come is then you would know," she recalled.
Commenting on the GFS's performance, Lovell said that the fire service indeed responded promptly. She said when they arrived at the scene only the three-flat building was on fire and part of another house owned by Joan Otto. She added that when the firemen took out their hoses and were looking for hydrants they couldn't find any since those in the area were inoperable. She said they then tried to access water from a drain but this didn't work and the water tender then retreated from the area.
Lovell said that when the fire tender arrived she was optimistic that her house would have been saved but she later watched with tears when it was engulfed in the flames. Lovell said that one of the boys -- two-year-old Kelton -- was left in the house after all the others had rushed out. "When I heard of the fire, I pick up my purse with my passport and $1,100 and hustled to get all of the other children out the house. But when we all got out it was then we realised that Kelton was left behind." She said a late dash was made to house and the child was saved. Kelton was taken to the Georgetown Public Hospital and reports were that he was dehydrated and suffering from smoke inhalation. The two-year-old was seen yesterday cuddled in one of his aunts' arms and crying. He, too, lost all that he had. His grandmother said that yesterday the toddler had to visit the hospital barefoot.
Lovell thanked the members of the bucket brigade for their help. She said that she was so involved in saving the lives her grandchildren that she paid little attention to saving household articles. "Where there is life [there is] hope. I know that I lost a whole lot. My lovely mahogany double bunk bed and my furniture were all modern articles but I have to be thankful that my life and the lives of my grandchildren and children were saved."