The Ministry of the People came forward last week to assist Leelawatee Ramtahal and her son with the care of her 27-year-old autistic nephew, Christopher Sankar.

Ramtahal's plea for assistance in caring for Sankar was highlighted by the Express in February, which detailed the harsh conditions under which the young man has been forced to live because of a lack of resources in.

The Ministry had then outlined ways in which it had moved to assist Ramtahal in the past, but last week the Minister of the People Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh visited Ramtahal's St Augustine home with a team from his Ministry where he handed over an invoice to assist the family with reconstruction of an annex to the family's home for Sankar.

Previously the Ministry had provided support to family through its Food Card division, a promise has been made for psycho-social support and the assistance of a social worker through the People's Issues Resolution Unit as well as assistance for the caregiver for the young man through the URP Social programme.

Assistance was also given to the family by president of the Lions Club Of Valsayn Krishna Maharaj last week.

Maharaj told the Express that a mattress, brooms and other items requested by Ramtahal were dropped off at her home in response to the Express article requesting help.

On Friday, Ramtahal told the Express that she was grateful for the assistance received so far and that she was hopeful that this time around all of the promises made would be fulfilled.

"Everything went well. They said a lot of things but those things were said a long time ago so I hoping that it works out. I was told that everything is being processed so I am waiting to see," she said.