Support for fire victims Shorty, Italise and daughter

The Daily Herald writes today that some of the best qualities of the tightly-knit Saban community reveal themselves when adversity strikes. This is true not just amongst natives but also for adopted community members as in the case of the Haitian family whose house burned to the ground on January 7.

The home of Yvener “Shorty” Cetoute, who has been living on Saba since 1997, burned down while he was in his native Haiti. At the time of the incident his wife Italise was still on duty working at Scout’s Place in Windwardside.

Saba Healthcare Foundation sprang into action with director Dr. Joka Blaauboer and the board deciding to provide the unfortunate family with temporary housing at the foundation’s house on The Level. This house is used to accommodate visiting medical specialists, consultants and new employees who move to Saba and has all necessary amenities. The Island Government will assist the family in securing temporary housing immediately after the fire. Government also started working with Own Your Own Home Foundation to secure long-term housing.

The final arrangements are to have the family move for the next six months into the Under the Hill social-housing project. Cetoute’s long-term employer Saba Roads Construction company assured that they will assist him with materials to help rebuild his house. Commissioner Bruce Zagers tasked Dave Levenstone to coordinate all humanitarian assistance to the fire victims last Wednesday. Saba Red Cross started collecting goods for the family the following day and called on people who wished to make donations to bring them to the A.M. Edwards Medical Centre in The Bottom.