PHILIPSBURG:--- The St. Maarten Tzu Chi Foundation went to the aid of the families affected by fire on Tamarind Steeg, between Front Street and Back Street on New Year's Day.
The Foundation donated 20 cases of water to the affected families on Thursday and some clothing to those affected on Friday. The foundation will continue to support the fire victims Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung said.
Four families lost everything in the fire. Two of the families had their businesses attached to their homes, which also went up in flames.
Affected were a tailor and his wife; a hairdresser, her husband and child, and two families with several members.
One of the affected persons, a 75-year-old retiree, supplemented his small pension by sewing men's clothing to be able to pay his rent and other bills. His wife had been in the Dominican Republic at the time of the fire. He lost everything including his reading glasses and his professional sewing machine. Sea Palace Hotel has offered him accommodation in the interim.
Another fire victim, a 27-year-old flight attendant lost everything including her airline uniforms. Her eight-year-old son and one-year-old daughter and her 53-year-old mother had been staying in a nearby hotel donated for two nights after which they are expected to move into an apartment in the area.
The hairdresser and her family are staying with friends until they get somewhere else to settle down.
The other family is expected to occupy accommodation close to where they were living.
Several residents in the area have also gone to the aid of the fire victims and have been assisting them in several areas including with hot meals and temporary accommodation. One resident has been preparing meals for those affected daily.
The "blessings" from Tzu Chi came as a surprise to the families, who were still reeling from the shock of the fire. They were very happy with the kind words of encouragement given by Tzu Chi volunteers.
Before leaving the area, Tzu Chi met with, amongst other persons, members of the Down Street Business and Community Council, who were there to meet the fire victims and talk about their concerns.