The Ministry of Health and Social Development has officially handed over a new social home to Virgin Islands resident Mr Marvin Malone just in time for Christmas.

The home was designed by Architect Mr Shane Nanton of Bamboo Blue Prints, managed by Project Manager Mr Marquese Maduro of Project Management and Construction Solutions, and constructed by contractor E & K Trucking & Construction Services Limited.

During the key handover ceremony, Minister for Health and Social Development, Honourable Vincent O Wheatley, expressed gratitude to everyone involved in making the project a reality. 

Honourable Wheatley said, “On behalf of the Ministry, I want to thank my team, Mr Marquese Maduro, and everyone who played a part in this project, including the District Representative, both past and present. It is an honour to be able to do this for our citizens. Mr Marvin Malone, he has been very patient and I thank him for that patience. This home right here is his Christmas gift. It is a beautiful and spacious home, and I am truly happy that he can now finally realise this dream of a new home”

Mr Malone thanked the Ministry and all project partners for their support, and shared that receiving his new home in December made the moment even more meaningful. He said, “I want to thank the Minister and the Government for making this home possible. I am very happy to be receiving it in time for Christmas. I truly appreciate everything that has been done for me.”

Sixth District Representative Honourable Myron Walwyn also spoke at the handover and commended the Ministry for completing the project. 

Honourable Walwyn said, “I would like to congratulate Mr Malone, who has been waiting a long time for this moment. Today, his life has been made better because of the Government’s intervention and commitment. A promise was made some years ago to provide Mr Malone with a home, and I was pleased to help ensure that promise was kept. Once the Minister became aware of the situation, the project moved forward quickly and the workmanship has been excellent throughout. I am very grateful to everyone involved. This is the kind of work that truly makes a difference in people’s lives, and I am very happy to see Mr Malone receive his home today.”

Meanwhile, Project Manager Mr Marquese Maduro thanked the Ministry and expressed pride in seeing the project completed to a high standard. 

Mr Maduro said, “I am always happy to be a part of the work to help better the community. I give thanks to the Ministry for allowing me the opportunity to make sure that the homes are built well and in a timely fashion. I would like to congratulate the contractor and their representative today. They always continue to rise above and do a fantastic job with keen attention to detail.”

A representative of the contractor expressed appreciation to the Ministry for the opportunity to contribute to the project and said the team was pleased to continue its work of building quality homes that make families happy.

The handover forms part of the Ministry’s continued work to support vulnerable residents, improve housing standards and foster dignity, safety and wellbeing in communities across the Virgin Islands.