Single mother of five receives new home from First Lady for Christmas

The lives of a single mother and her five children, ages three to 14, were transformed after they received a newly constructed three-bedroom home at Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara (WCD), from First Lady Mrs Arya  Ali on Christmas Eve. 

Ms. Teasha Spellen, who is now a first-time homeowner, previously lived with relatives alongside her children, all of whom are currently in school. The family shared a single bedroom, which posed significant challenges for them daily. 

The new home is valued at approximately $14 million, which includes the cost of developing the land, fencing the yard, constructing the building, and furnishing the home. It was made possible by the Office of the First Lady with support from Courts Guyana, Comfort Sleep and Guyana  Breweries. 

During the handing over of the new home, the First Lady reflected on her own personal challenges growing up in a single-parent home. 

“This new home provides you with a safe, stable, and dignified environment to ensure all of you have a better quality of life, and your children have a brighter future. I was raised in a single-parent home, so I know of some of the challenges. But today you and your little ones have a place to call yours, so I want you to recognize how blessed you are,” Mrs Ali said.  

The First Lady also encouraged Ms Spellen to ensure she continues to prioritize her children’s education and support their endeavours. 

Overcome with emotion, Ms. Spellen described the new home as “life-changing” for her family,  expressing gratitude for the opportunity to have a safe and comfortable place they can call home. 

“First of all, I want to thank God Almighty for this new home. And I want to say thank you to the First Lady and everyone who made this possible for us. This is life-changing for my family because we’ve had it very, very hard,” Ms Spellen said before she broke down in tears.  

Ms Spellen indicated that she will immediately move in to ensure her family spends Christmas in their new home. She also shared her vision of using the remaining space in the yard to start a kitchen garden.

This is the fourth home Mrs. Ali has handed over to families in Region Three since assuming the role of First Lady, underscoring her continued commitment to the upliftment of families in vulnerable situations (Press release from the Office of the First lady)