BY BEN BILUA
West Maringe’s Kolosori community in Isabel Province, has stepped in to support a family who lost their home and belongings in a fire last Sunday.
Community members gathered and donated a number of personal items, including clothes, plates, spoons and cooking pots to assist the affected family.
The items were handed over yesterday by Parish Priest of West Maringe, Father Mesack Besa, and community chief, Fredick Kana during a brief gathering at Bohio settlement where the family currently resides.
Chief Kana said the assistance may be small, but it reflects the community’s willingness to help the family recover from the unfortunate incident.
“These items are very few, but we hope this kind gesture will play an important role in helping the family restart their lives,” Kana said.
Reports reaching Island Sun state that the fire was allegedly started by a mentally ill young man following an argument with his mother on Sunday.
Attempts by the mother and youths from Kolosori to put out the fire were unsuccessful, resulting in the house and all belongings being completely destroyed.
Police from Buala travelled to the settlement on Tuesday in an attempt to apprehend the young man for public safety.
However, they were unable to locate him as he had already fled and gone into hiding.
Community elder Reuben Dotho said the incident has caused fear and concern among villagers.
He said the young man reportedly became mentally ill last year and has since been involved in several incidents affecting community property and food gardens.
“The first incident happened last year when he damaged our water supply pipeline. Police were called and arrested the boy, but he was later released,” Dotho said.
He added that the young man allegedly continued causing trouble in nearby communities after his release, including burning down garden huts belonging to villagers.
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