Community builds new home for senior who lost everything in fire

A senior citizen who lost her house and all her belongings in a devastating fire, has finally got the keys to her new home.

Marshalled by charity Acts of Random Kindness, community volunteers built a brand new ‘tiny home’ for Marva Bodden.

The 80-year-old, who had lived in the house on Diaz Lane all her life, beamed with pride as she cut the ribbon on the entrance to the property last week.

Work began on the ‘tiny home’ last September and was concluded in just nine months. 

For Bodden, who was only able to salvage a treasured family bible from the ashes of the fire in 2020, it has been a longer ordeal. She lived in a converted shipping container on the site, while ARK – which helps deserving people in need – raised funds and assembled volunteers for the project.

The project was funded by NCB Group and ARK, with support from key community donors including 1503 Property Group and Artex Risk Solutions Ltd.

At a ceremony last week, politicians, charity workers and volunteers celebrated the completion of the home. It is ARK’s second ‘tiny home’ project.

“Miss Marva is a well-loved member of the Cayman community, and her story has touched the lives of many,” said Tara Nielsen, director of ARK Cayman.

“We’re so happy to welcome her into her new home and extend our deepest gratitude to all who contributed to the project’s success. We hope our community and industry partnerships inspire other organisations to support future projects in similar ways.”

In a previous interview with the Compass, as work began on the home last year, Bodden said she was overwhelmed by the community response.

She recalled growing up on Diaz Lane in the days when Cayman was a small seafaring island and recounted childhood memories of running barefoot down the sandy lanes of George Town to swim in the ocean by Mr. Arthur’s shop.

She said she had never lost faith despite her struggles.

Matthew Wight, managing director of NCB Group, said any leftover funds from the project would go toward other ARK initiatives.

“We are incredibly proud to have created meaningful change for Miss Marva and to support future recipients of ARK initiatives,” he said.

ARK also helps with housing repairs and improvements for families living in unsafe or unfit homes through its Cayman CASA programme. The designs for the tiny home, created by Arco Architectural Services, can be used for other projects.