RADHICA DE SILVA
Senior Multimedia Reporter
radhica.sookraj@guardian.co.tt
On a windswept hilltop at Caratal Road, Hermitage Village, Claxton Bay, the view stretches into the distance—but for 30-year-old Khemraj Rampersad, it brings no peace.
Every day, he wakes up at 4 am, listening to the quiet groans of his 69-year-old mother Hasina Hosein, who suffers from early dementia, rheumatoid arthritis and frequent seizures.
For years, Rampersad has been her only caregiver.
Once a trained administrative accountant, graphic artist and social media manager, Rampersad gave up his career to care for the woman who once cared for him.
Their wooden home is incomplete—a structure his late father, Harold Rampersad, began building nearly a decade ago. The roof leaks. There is no proper indoor bathroom. Gaps in the wood let in cold wind that worsens his mother’s pain.
Unable to secure grants due to a lack of land documents and unfit living conditions, he is now appealing to the public for help. He is seeking construction materials, groceries, adult diapers, or even the opportunity for a remote job.
“I just want to earn again,” he says quietly.
“But first, I need help making this place liveable for her,” he added.
Rampersad revealed that his entire day is devoted to his mother, admitting it sometimes becomes overwhelming. After the first round of medication at 4 am, he prepares his mother’s meals, helps her bathe, and exercises her fingers and legs to prevent stiffness.
He cleans the home, does the laundry and watches over her constantly—never too far away, in case another seizure strikes.
Rampersad said several years ago, while cooking at home alone, his mother had a seizure and her fingers got burned off by the stove. Two fingers had to be amputated and she still gets pain up to this day.
“That is why I cannot leave her home alone and go to work. She needs care all the time,” Rampersad explained.
In the evenings when the air turns cold, Rampersad said Hosein writhes in pain.
“Sometimes I wake at 11 o’clock hearing her cry. The breeze comes through the holes in the wood, and the arthritis flares up bad,” he explained.
He said over the past year her condition worsened. Once able to cook and move about, she now needs help walking. She uses adult diapers most days. Rampersad said the trauma of losing her fingers is also still there and often she would spend time watching her hands, gnarled from arthritis.
Despite getting a Senior Citizens Grant, Rampersad said the bills are too much.
“I applied for a geriatric nurse but they told me the house has to be in a certain condition. Grants for repairs are out of reach too, because I have no deed to the land. The owner migrated years ago and I have no contact,” Rampersad revealed.
He added, “My father died about eight years ago and since then, it’s just me and mom.”
Before this, Rampersad said he worked at Rikon Enterprises and did freelance social media marketing. He dreams of finding a remote job again, something flexible, so he can work while still caring for his mother.
He is also hoping for some help in completing the unfinished structure outside—the one his father started, hoping it would help keep his mother safe from falls.
“It just needs some repairs, a kitchen and a proper bathroom. Then maybe we could get the geriatric nurse to come in and help take care of her while I work,” Rampersad said.
Even with the hardship, he thanks God for the opportunity to care for his mother despite the trials. He said gospel music keeps her calm and sometimes members of a nearby church bring groceries.
“It is hard for me to come out and ask and we don’t need much, just a few materials, some pampers, groceries, maybe help from a company willing to hire me remotely. Every day, I try but I can’t do it alone anymore. Mom and I need the help,” Rampersad said.
Anyone wishing to assist Khemraj Rampersad and his mother can contact him at 1-868-752-0583. Donations can also be made to his Scotiabank Account: 61705-4003-009.