Family struggling in ramshackle home
Published:Wednesday | April 13, 2022 | 12:13 AMRasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer
While many residents and farmers in the rural township of Guy’s Hill, St Catherine, welcome the rain, the darkening clouds and roll of thunder drive fear into 70-year-old Howard Williams.
The family is left to battle a leaky roof in the ramshackle wooden structure Williams calls home.
“This is where I live with my family for donkey years now,” Williams said, hinting at the longevity of the crisis.
“I have tried to fix it up since my father died, but tings get really bad fi mi and I need some help.”
The dilemma has prompted residents of Lime Hall district to call for the Prime Minister Andrew Holness-spearheaded Social Housing Programme to launch a rescue job for the Williams family.
Flood woes have caused the labourer to dig a trench near the house to minimise the impact of inundation.
The deplorable state of the Williams household has drawn compassion from its neighbours, who sometimes have pitched in to help.
“Yes, they are suffering, as sometimes as the rain set, I have to assist the little boy with a warm bed. This is because the water affects them very badly,” Gail Bennett-Waller said in a Gleaner interview.
“Sometimes I don’t even eat meat, as any money mi work, I have to use to send him to school,” Williams said of his son, 10-year-old Ricardo, who was seen practising karate with a makeshift prop.
“The main problem is that every time it rains, the roof leaks. Even when you go on the floor, you still get wet. It wicked!” a teary-eyed Williams said.
The child’s mother, Dean Edwards, also lives in the dilapidated structure.
The wooden floor creaks badly and sections are lifting out of place. Pieces of sponge accompanying what is left of a bed and bundles of clothes are strewn about on nails on the walls.
“They really need help badly, as they have no running water, no toilet facilities, nor bathroom to use,” Michelle Marshall said.
Williams disclosed that the toilet fell out of commission some time ago and the family now uses a hole for waste disposal.
Persons wishing to assist may call (876) 449-1101.