#JamaicaTogether | Mother pulled back from the brink after thieves shatter hope
Published:Friday | May 8, 2020 | 12:25 AMCecelia Campbell-Livingston/Gleaner Writer
Latoya Rose used the last $3,000 she had to invest in 26 baby chicks and feed with the hope of turning a profit after they matured.
Last Friday, as the Spaldings resident went to her coop to feed the chickens, they were all gone.
“When I don’t see them, I say, ‘Probably them gone behind the feeding pan, but when I check, I don’t see not even one,” she told The Gleaner.
“Mi feel like a would just lick dung the pen and throw it dung and don’t worry with it. I tek up the hammer and say after I pluck the big ones in the coop on Monday, I would just destroy it and just call it a day,” Rose continued.
The mother of two said that with her already struggling to make ends meet, the theft shook her world.
But thanks to Damion Young of Home Grown Produce, Rose said that her faith in humanity has been restored as after he heard what had transpired, he included Rose in an initiative his company is now spearheading.
Young said that it was a situation that he could not ignore.
“We believe it is important for her to have some economic support both in light of her COVID-19 struggles as well her direct personal challenges that she is facing in taking care of herself and her children,” he said.
Yesterday, Young presented Rose with a cheque to cover the cost of purchasing 50 chicks as well as feed.
In light of the raid on her coop, she is also getting some building materials to secure the coop, better padlocks, and wire fencing.
“We are also looking to equip at least 25 other chicken farmers here in Spaldings with the same amount of 50 chicks so that they can bolster their production,” said Young, who said that he has partnered with the Jamaica Labour Party’s standard-bearer for North West Clarendon, Phillip Henriques, to execute the initiative.
“This is a very challenging and trying time for everyone in Jamaica. It is especially hard for single mothers who have no financial ‘backative’ and no support. Vulnerable persons also need special attention,” said Young, adding that with Rose being unemployed and then having the rug pulled from under her feet, it was a time to support her and others in similar situations.
“This is the time for all of us to be good neighbours and find it within our hearts to have compassion on those around us. It is time to demonstrate love and the Jamaican oneness, and now more than ever, we should find it in ourselves to be our brother’s keeper,” he said.