CANAAN, St James – Work was completed, a few days ago, on a one-bedroom house that will make a huge difference in the lives of two women from this community. Now 56-year-old Princess George and her 78-year-old mother Gloria Hines have a place of their very own. George suffers from mental illness and her mother is partially immobile due to a stroke she suffered in 2018.

More than 20 determined health-care workers from Adelphi began working on the modest house on May 23, one of the many Labour Day projects engaged in across the country. Team members, who had visited George to offer treatment, were spurred into action when they saw the dilapidated house in which the women lived. They decided to demolish the structure and build something more suitable. Furniture was also provided and work was completed on May 31.

“The health department, under the leadership of Lennox Wallace, is not only concerned about the physical health of the patient but the holistic health,” explained senior public health nurse for St James Jennifer Pearson.

Realising that they would need help to successfully complete the project, the team reached out to Sandra Miller-Hall, philanthropist and ambassador for the I Believe Initiative (IBI). She immediately sought, and got, donations.

“I naturally love people so wherever and whenever the need arises I will be there to offer my assistance… I call this a labour of love,” said Hall.

The donations came in the form of cash as well as building material such as zinc sheets, windows and doors. In addition to health-care workers in the parish, donors also included fellow IBI ambassador Courtney Johnson; Vaughn Archer from Texaco Fairview; Everton Campbell from Best Dressed Chicken; Wanford Lewis from Rainforest Seafood; Pier One; and Food for the Poor.

Custos Rotulorum Bishop Conrad Pitkin was among those on site on May 23, putting in windows. It was the third project he was working on for the day.

“This is the most satisfying; it gives a good feeling to do this for this grateful lady and her daughter. I will always say we can use what is right about Jamaica to fix what is wrong about Jamaica,” he said.

Parish manager for St James Health Services Lennox Wallace was also at work.

“The health department is excited to see to the completion of Miss Gloria’s new house. We are not just about clinical treatment; we want to assist to improve living conditions as well,” he said.

A very grateful Hines expressed her gratitude to all who helped.

“Thank all of you. May God bless and keep you and give you health and strength,” she said.