Living in a rat-infested house with two-year-old daughter Arti is finally taking a toll on the health of Andy Gajadhar, who fell ill yesterday, a day after the T&T Guardian highlighted their story of hardship.
Dozens of people offered to help the ailing man and his daughter, who live at Hilltop Drive, Springvale, Claxton Bay, yesterday.
For most of the day yesterday, Arti helped her father clean up their one-room shack in anticipation that help would come to them. But while cleaning, Gajadhar fell ill and had to the doctor. With his daughter in tow, Gajadhar received medication for high blood pressure. His sugar level was also high.
In an interview afterwards, Gajadhar said about 15 callers contacted him offering assistance to purchase, food, clothing and construction materials. Saying he was heartened by the outpouring of love from T&T Guardian readers, Gajadhar said he was concerned that with his failing health he may be unable to care for Arti.
“It hurts me to say this but I am scared that something will happen to me and I won’t be able to take care of her. I would even consider giving her up to a responsible couple who can give her a better life,” Gajadhar said.
He noted, however, that the couple must be able to love Arti as their own daughter.
The ailing father said after his story ran in the Guardian he felt embarrassed about the condition of his ramshackle house.
“Arti was very hyper today. She giving me beans. She wants attention, but I was too busy trying to clean up the place, then I started to feel really sick,” Gajadhar said.
After resting for a while, Gajadhar said he began feeling better later in the afternoon.
He said however that no one from the Ministry of Health had contacted him to discuss spraying or killing of the rats.
“I really need help to deal with the rats because either one of us could get leptospirosis. At nights we cannot even walk on the ground because rats running by our feet. There is also a lot of mosquitoes,” Gajadhar said.
He said a representative from the office of the MP for Tabaquite Dr Suruj Rambachan contacted him yesterday saying the MP would speak with him shortly. However, he said up to late evening Rambachan had not called.
However, corporate communications manager of Trinidad Cement Limited (TCL), Michelle Langton, said they were willing to supply cement to build a decent two or three bedroom house for the family.
Anyone wanting to assist the family can contact Gajadhar at 276-1942 or 289-4494.
