A dream come true - Desperate mom gets new house from FFP

Semone Butler, the Redwood, St Catherine, mother who made the headlines after she was captured by a Gleaner photographer taking her 17-year-old daughter through floodwaters in May rains, is celebrating after Food For The Poor (FFP) made one of her greatest wishes a reality.

Butler has been given a new house to replace the dilapidated structure she shared with her daughter on lands owned by her mother.

The landscape of the piece of land on which the old structure once stood is now dominated by the bright yellow new house.

'OVERJOYED'

"I am overjoyed! Oh, my God! I can't tell you how glad I am! Thanks for what you (The Sunday Gleaner) has done for me. They brought the material on July 11 and they came to do the foundation on the 12th. They came and finish up, and Tuesday was the final of it. I am in it now," said the petite mother of four.

Butler had been waiting for the structure for more than five years, calling the non-profit organisation as often as she could but telling the story to a new representative each time.

However, after her story was published by The Sunday Gleaner, the charity moved quickly to provide assistance.

"Words can't express how grateful I am. I am glad and I am happy, and I thank The Gleaner," said Butler.