HAPPY TO BE HOME

THE only thing a mother could have done was to cry tears of joy yesterday afternoon when she laid eyes on her two children who were trapped in
St. Maarten since September 6, when Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc on the island.

It was indeed a touching and emotional moment when Vicki Weekes embraced her 33-year-old daughter Sabrina, and her 29-year-old son Shane, minutes after they touched down at the Grantley Adams International Airport.

The siblings, who have been teaching primary and secondary school students in St. Maarten for the past year, came home on a flight organised by The Sol Group.

The mother was lost for words, as she told the media how happy she was to see that her children were alive and well.

“I just want to thank my church family and people who were praying for them. I just want to say thanks again to Sol, and thank God that they are here. I am glad to have them back,” the mother said, as water settled in her eyes.

As Sabrina held on to her mother, Shane spoke about how “tough” it was to have experienced the ordeal.

He said not knowing when to expect the next distribution of food, or water, was an experience he never wants to have to relive.

“No light, no water, we were just tired. I am just happy to be home to see my family. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone else,” Shane said.

Shane thanked Sol Group for making it possible for him and his sister to return home safely.

“I can’t say how grateful we are for them to do this for us. So thank you again Sol, our thanks goes out to you,” he said.

The Sol Group Brand Communications and External Affairs Manager, Nanette Pagan-Soto, said while Sol is currently carrying out rescue missions in territories that were devastated by the Category 5 hurricane, the company was happy to have been able to offer assistance to the siblings.

“We continue to deploy teams to the affected territories, and our main aim is to first ensure the safety of our missions, to supply essential and medical provision to our teammates in the islands, and to provide resources, professionals, technicians, equipment and support for the teams to be able to recover the operations.

“We know that our recovery operations and services are key to the recovery of the communities. In this instance, we are very grateful for the fact that among those efforts we were able to support Sabrina, Shane and their family,” Pagan-Soto said.

Meanwhile, Sabrina, who also expressed her gratitude to Sol, said the first thing on her to-do list is to visit her worried 16-year-old son, to let him see that his mummy is okay. (AH)