Monday marks the first anniversary of the brutal slaying of New Grant father Antero McQueen and his sister-in-law Monica Jagroop in a murder that rocked the Farmer’s Trace community.Today, however, life continues to spiral downhill for McQueen’s widow, Indra Jagroop and their two children, ages nine and 13, as their home, made of wood and galvanised sheets, is deteriorating and is on the verge of falling apart.Just over a year ago, Jagroop (Indra), a lottery booth operator, and McQueen, a mechanic, were working hard to save enough money to rebuild the family home, which they shared with her parents, Manickchand, 73 and Mina, 72.
Now, the upper storey of the house is unliveable, as the roof leaks and the floorboards are falling through. With heavy rainfall this rainy season, Indra has a plastic sheet hanging over her bed to prevent herself and her children from getting soaked when they sleep.
“Our home is dilapidated. We cannot afford to rebuild it. We can barely buy food, more or less. I am working, yes, but I am working for a very small salary.
“My kids get a little help from social welfare. Just my two kids: my sister’s two children are living with us, but they do not get anything as yet. Their dad is unemployed, so we try to work with whatever we have.”
Indra Jagroop washes some wares at her Farmer’s Trace, New Grant home yesterday.
KEVON FELMINE
It is painful for Manickchand to recall the tragic incident. He fought tears as he sat outside his home yesterday. A long and dreadful scar across his face serves as a reminder of the day he lost part of his family. Jagroop can never forget the incident, as she lost part of her left hand in that attack, severely immobilising her. Jobs are limited due to her condition, as she cannot even drain a pot of rice or cut vegetables and can only cook, wash and hang up clothes with the assistance of her children and nieces.
“You cannot comb your hair. You cannot put on your clothes properly because you always need someone. Anything you are doing, you need someone to assist you, but I do not have someone to assist me all the time. Yes, I have my kids, but remember, they are going to school,” Jagroop said.
Her son attends the St Julien’s Presbyterian Primary School while her daughter is preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination next year at Tableland High School.
With Monica, a single mother, dying in the attack, Jagroop now cares for her nieces, ages 13 and 16.
While she gets $750 in assistance from the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services for each of her children, there is no help for her nieces. She said most of this money goes into travelling to school.
McQueen, a mechanic, previously took them to school. With him gone, Jagroop is now the only breadwinner in the house. She still considers herself fortunate that her employer kept her at her job. She makes $270 per day operating a lottery booth in Gulf City Mall, San Fernando, four days a week. However, she spends around $100 to travel between New Grant and San Fernando.
Jagroop is pleading for assistance to help rebuild the family home to make it a bit more liveable, as they are already struggling with basic needs like groceries.
“Everybody has financial problems, but going to the grocery is very expensive. You cannot pick up any other thing than what you need, nothing different. Sometimes you have to leave out some of your personal items. They are young ladies. You know they need personal items and stuff.”
Anyone willing to help can contact Jagroop at 499-6126.
