Generous citizens have been coming forward to assist Evans and Vitra Rajpaul and hopefully last night would have been the last time they had to sleep in their car. A Rio Claro man has offered to let them live at his home until the Housing Development Corporation (HDC) provided an apartment for the ailing couple. However, Evans, 53, said they intended to spend last night in their car and would make the journey to Rio Claro today.
“What happen, we have to collect our disability cheques in San Fernando so we did not want to drive up to Rio Claro and come back down today to collect the cheques,” he said. Yesterday, staff from the HDC, on instructions from Housing Minister Dr Roodal Moonilal, visited and interviewed the Rajpauls. “The woman from HDC cried when she saw our condition. She said this is not only an urgent case but one of desperation,” Evans said.
Many callers to the T&T Guardian, who wished to remain anonymous, requested a telephone number for the couple after reading about their plight in yesterday’s T&T Guardian. One of the callers was from the Vitas House, which is a home for terminally ill cancer patients. Vitra Rajpaul, 61, is suffering from cancer. Others who read about the situation also met them at Palmiste Park, San Fernando, where they have been living in their car for the past month and offered food and clothing.
“Someone brought us hot water in a thermos, milk, cheese, water to drink but how much things I could take? The car not so wholesome and we still have to get space to sleep,” said Evans. He said he and his wife were grateful for all the assistance they have been given and hoped that when they got an apartment from the HDC, the generosity would be extended to help them acquire furniture and appliances. “I feel good. I feel relieved. We are happy for all the help,” he said.
Anyone willing to assist Evans and Vitra Rajpaul can reach them at 398 5324.