A dream home for tent family
by mahmood on 07/08/06 at 11:05 am · email · print
A Bahraini family forced to sleep rough because they were scared their dilapidated house would collapse at any moment were given the keys to a villa in Hamad Town last night.
A VIP stepped in after reading about their plight in the GDN and bought them the luxury, three-bedroom property – promising to cover the furnishing costs.
He initially moved Sayed Mustafa Sayed Hashim, his wife Amal Juma Abdulla and their four young children, aged one to 12, into a fully furnished apartment in Juffair while they searched for a new home.
The family had originally set up a tent on wasteland off the Budaiya Highway after cracks appeared in the walls of their home and part of it gave way when their neighbour’s house – which shared a joining wall – was demolished. Mr Hashim applied for housing from the government in October 1992, but never received a home.
The family last night said they were overwhelmed with the VIP’s response.
“He paid for the apartment we are staying in now, took us to the cold store and gave us everything we needed,” 30-year-old Amal told the GDN last night.
“Just today we received the keys and the villa was transferred into my husband’s name. “It is going to be furnished soon and as soon as it is we will move in.
“We are grateful to him and everyone who supported us, including the Press.” Works and Housing Ministry Assistant Under-Secretary Nabil Abulfath met Mr Hashim after the family’s story appeared in the GDN and said they would be given rent for Isa.
GDN :: Geoffrey Bew and Tariq Khonji :: 7 Aug ’06
