Callel Thomas, a resident of Stanton Housing Scheme in Spring Garden, St. Thomas, on Tuesday received the keys to her new single unit home, which was constructed by trainees of the Human Employment and Resource Training/National Service Training Agency (HEART/NSTA) Trust.
Thomas, who lost her house in a fire, recalled that in the aftermath she cried, but decided not to stress over the loss because her life was spared.
She expressed gratitude to the HEART/NSTA and all the other stakeholder partners playing a role in constructing the home, which was built at a cost of $4.7 million under the Agency’s ‘Tiny House Project’.
“Today I am so glad because tonight, I can relax. I can push away the curtains and I can kotch up my [feet] in my ‘likkle’ tiny house. Lots of thanks to all who stretched forth their hands towards me and I pray your food basket may never run dry,” an exuberant Thomas said.
Under the National Training and Programme Division, HEART/NSTA Trust Region 2 was tasked with identifying development projects and making an impact with the utilisation of available resources.
Consequently, the ‘Tiny House Project’ will result in the construction of six homes and the restoration of another to liveable condition.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Oversight for Skills and Digital Transformation, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon, noted that there is earning potential across all the skill areas used in the construction and furnishing of the house.
“As we hand over [this] ‘non-tiny’ house today, I want to thank the HEART team. I have to thank the HEART trainees. When you see a house like this, it tells you that we’re doing good training,” she said.