JAMES HILL, Clarendon — Berrilyn Black-Hartley has fond memories of how 86-year-old Derrick Gardner and his 85-year-old wife Elfreda Gardener helped others in their community when they were younger and could earn a living.

Now, too old to work, they live alone in a house that’s falling apart and it breaks her heart to see them like this. She is hoping others will join her and other neighbours who have been helping the senior citizens.

“I give a helping hand to them whenever I can because they are in need and is one child them have who is not in the position to do that much. He give them what he has when he can and try his best, but it is also hard on him,” the 57-year-old housekeeper told the Jamaica Observer. “Everybody is trying to help but… we all have our bills and so on to pay so it is hard same way. But, all around, we try to pitch in here and there.”

She said she has known the couple for more than 30 years. They were all members of James Hill New Testament Church. Black-Hartley said she still remembers the sacrifices they made for the church and community members.

“They are good people, I can tell you that much, nothing was ever too good for them to give away or to make time for others. The man use to preach at my church, a great preacher as well, but he has not been well so he can’t preach anymore,” she said.

“Sometimes I can see that the man is worried because he is just always sitting by himself and not talking,” she added.

She is also concerned about their health.

“The lady was telling me that is two years now that she has been to the doctor and she has problem where she urinate on herself so, because of that, she has to wear pampers. The man is also having the same problem so soon he will have to start wearing pampers too. But right now they can’t even afford the pampers, so you can understand the situation,” said Black-Hartley.

Though it’s a struggle, she journeys from her home in Bog Hole, Clarendon — sometimes twice per week— to visit the couple in the neighbouring community of James Hill.

“Even Sunday gone me cook and carry dinner for them, and they was so glad because when I got there the wife was telling me that they didn’t have anything to eat. Mi try my best to see how often I can go to them, other people who live closer to them try as well, but right now they are in need. Sometimes I go there and would want to cook so they can have it for a few days, but their fridge is not working so they don’t have anywhere to keep the food,” Black-Hartley said.

“They would want a proper fridge to store certain things. That’s one of the main thing they need right now, and some food, because sometimes they don’t have anything to eat,” she appealed.

She has tried to get local authorities to intervene.

“I called the councillor and asked him for help also, but some of the stuff they need he said his office don’t really provide those, like the fridge. He said he only give like mattress and so on, but he will be trying his best to see what he can do to help also. I plan to ask him if someone in his office can put them on the PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) so they can try and get some money from there,” she told the Observer.

The Observer was unable to reach the councillor by phone despite several phone calls since last week.

Black-Hartley is hoping for quick action. In addition to a lack of basic needs, the elderly couple’s house is caving in, she said. The wooden floor has collapsed, making it quite hazardous for the senior citizens who live alone.

“The house is falling apart because the boards on the floor rotten, so when you step on them it will take you under the cellar. The lady was trying to clean one day and she tell me that she fell underneath the cellar. The place want a little upliftment so if we could get some paint and so to just paint it and even to fix up the board floor and the roof,” Black-Hartley told the Observer.

Anyone who wishes to assist the elderly couple may contact Berrilyn Black-Hartley at (876) 581-0150.