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Sylvia Walker’s Home

Sylvia Walker’s Home

Built by Faith, Held by Grace

For five long years, Sylvia—a woman in her 50s—lived in a tent. She bathed from a bucket, used the bush as her bathroom, and at night, rats would come and bite her legs. Yet through it all, she never complained. I knew her for years and had no idea she was living in such heartbreaking conditions.

But God knew. And He had a plan.

When her story came to light, it became the biggest project BFM had ever taken on—and the largest amount we’d ever needed to raise. But God was faithful. With the help of generous donors and determined hearts, we built Sylvia a beautiful, sturdy home. A place where she is now safe from the elements—a place filled with peace, where she welcomes and cares for her children and grandchildren.

Her home is more than shelter—it’s a testimony of resilience, dignity, and the relentless love of God.

Why Was This Project Selected?

Sylvia had been living in shredded tents for almost 5 years after Hurricane Irma destroyed her home in 2017. In that time she has gone through three tents because they do not hold up against the extreme elements on Barbuda.

Sylvia’s tent floods every time it rains so her bed and all her belongings must be raised up on concrete blocks. One thing Miss Sylvia could not prevent was keeping the rats from chewing through her tent and biting her legs in the night. With no bathroom, Sylvia had to bathe in a bucket and go to the bathroom out in the bush.

Project Details

Exterior

Rebuild and Tile Kitchen Countertops

Kitchen

Rebuild and tile kitchen countertops.
Install sink, faucets.
Complete plumbing.
Build, install, and paint pantries and cabinet shelving.
Hang curtains for cabinet shelving.
Hang window curtains.
Install Refrigerator and Stove Top
Build a Kitchen table.

Bathroom

Build an addition for the bathroom.
Tie in roof to existing roof on home.
Build the shower wall.
Plaster and paint walls.
Tile shower and bathroom floor.
Build, paint, and install vanity.
Install sink, faucets and shower valve.
Set toilet and complete plumbing

Bedrooms

Build and install shelving w/ clothing rods.
Build beds.
Install and hang window curtains.
Paint walls.
Tile Floor

Project Challenges

For BFM it was the size and cost of the project. This was a BIG ASK, but the need was even greater! It would prove to be BFM’s biggest undertaking ever!.

Sylvia’s home sat on a foundation with only three partial walls remaining after Irma. The floorplan needed to be redesigned to accommodate her needs, which was a small kitchen, bathroom, living area and two bedrooms. With money raised we were also able to give her the desire of her heart, a front porch, or as the Barbudans call it “a gallery”.

What is the potential impact for the local community?

HOPE! Still after 6 years there are so many living in terrible conditions, many feel forgotten, some think their unbearable living conditions will never change. When they see Sylvia’s home restored after so long, they see hope for themselves. This project will have a positive impact on the community because it will show the Barbudan people that God sees them! He sees their need and has sent help.

About Sylvia

Sylvia Walker is a 55 year old woman who lost everything she owned in 2017. She never ever complains. On any given Sunday she is beautifully dressed for church and no one would ever know from her appearance that she lived in a tent with no bathroom.

She is a devoted mother and grandmother and a faithful member of Abundant Life Church. Sylvia has a servant’s heart and it is well displayed in her service to her church and others.