Stroke victim gets help from community NGO

Weeks after news broke on CVM TV about stroke victim, Norma Brown, living in a repurposed chicken coop, the community’s non-profit foundation ‘Hope for the Hopeless’ stepped up to start the construction of a one-bedroom house for her.

The project started on Sunday, April 7 with more than half of the NGO’s members present. Alongside them were men from the community of New Forest which they all call home.

Olisa Findley Scott, Norma’s daughter was moved to tears.

“I just want to say a big thank you to everyone who came to see us. Hope for the hopeless, Ministry of Labour, the councilor. Just a big thank you to everyone,” said Scott.

The NGO was created February of 2023 to help persons in and around the community. Founding members, Sophia Morgan and Olivia Lewis-Johnson are cousins who were also born and raised in New Forest, Manchester.

After hearing about Norma’s plight, they immediately wanted to assist.

“When we heard about miss Norma we had to reach out to our sponsors. They assisted so we got the ball rolling right away,” said Olivia Lewis-Johnson.

Sophia shared similar sentiments, alluding to Norma’s cheerful spirit.

“She was always a nice and jovial person so visiting her and seeing her living condition firsthand was really heart wrenching for me. We could not ignore her daughter’s appeal for assistance. We had to get involved,” said Morgan.

Unsure of the exact date when the project will be completed, the group has vowed to dedicate their time and resources to finish it as quickly as possible.

Contributor: Brittania Witter