Lankan woman hit by house demolition in Sharjah

The demolition of houses in Musalla, Sharjah have resulted in tragic circumstances for one woman from Sri Lanka.

According to a Gulf News report, Manju, 38, from Sri Lanka, used to live in one of the dilapidated houses until the municipality tore them down last month for a land development project.

Manju has been able to find shelter at a friend’s place nearby but as she was unable to take her belongings, that have accumulated over her 13 years in Sharjah.

Manju opted to store everything she owned in two plywood crates and place it in the middle of the sandy lot where her home used to stand.

Although other residents in the area found alternative homes to go to, Manju could not, mainly due to her lack of means.

Even though Manju does not have a full time job, she tries her best to make ends meet by working as a part time housemaid for people living in the neighbourhood, and points out that some of the people have been kind enough to give her clothes.

Despite her aching joints and limbs, Manju continues to walk the five minute distance from her friend’s home to her plywood crates several times throughout the day.

Not all her belongings fitted inside the boxes, so she had no other choice but to place them nearby or on top of a white plastic chair that she borrowed from a watchman in a nearby building.

A bicycle, umbrella, bangles, stuffed toys, dresses, scarves and other items of clothing are placed in a cramped pile between the boxes.