NORMALYM Ross-Hinds, 62, after living under unfavourable conditions for more than two decades with hardly any options to rebuild, recently received a new house, courtesy of Food For the Poor Jamaica and Desnoes and Geddes (D&G) Foundation.

Ross-Hinds was more than happy to welcome the charities to Waltham Park last week as they helped to prepare the land alongside her children before the team constructed her new house.

“My previous house was in a very bad condition, and it’s saddening because I have lived there for many years. The roof in the bathroom and kitchen were leaking, so you can just imagine when it rains. Some of the materials on the outside were extremely old and need fixing, but we just haven’t been able to afford it.

“So, when I think about what we’ve been experiencing, I am so happy that FFPJ and D&G Foundation reached out about a new house. I am overwhelmed, and I cannot even begin to explain how grateful I am for a better house.”

Almost 30 years ago, Ross-Hinds and her husband settled in their previous home on a strip of land belonging to his family. However, since the land was not their own, they faced challenges rebuilding, especially after his death 15 years ago.

“The land was from my husband’s side of the family, so we experienced challenges rebuilding and restructuring, and that didn’t change after his death. Thankfully, a community member allowed us to breed and raise chickens on a piece of his land. After some time, I was the one paying the taxes for that land, and it is now the space for the new house. I would say I’m blessed to have a solution.”

Previously employed as a domestic helper, Ross-Hinds found the income insufficient to make ends meet. Financial struggles led her to venture into vending outside the gates of a primary school within her community. Starting with “bag drinks” and tamarind fruit, Hinds saved money to afford essential items. Although she took a break from vending for three years due to physical strain, Ross-Hinds continued to sell at the school gate.

“I will continue helping myself by vending as I start preparing to live in the new house. This house will be just for me; my two sons and four grandchildren will occupy the previous house that we all lived in.”

The collaboration between D&G Foundation and FFPJ began in 2017 with a donation of new housing material for individuals in need within the communities, where the Project Grow Cassava farm operates. In July of this year, the foundation contributed over $3.8 million to create five additional houses.

“The FFPJ team typically initiates land preparation a day before the official commencement of construction. However, in this instance, we actively engaged from the project’s inception. Our team found immense satisfaction in being involved in every step of the process and cherishes the profound impact of our partnership with FFPJ, especially in line with the D&G Foundation’s mission of transforming lives and enriching communities. This marks our third housing mission with FFPJ, and we are thrilled to be part of a collaboration that aligns so closely with our shared commitment to meaningful community development,” said D&G Foundation Director Dianne Ashton Smith.

In 2023, the D&G Foundation and FFPJ partnered to construct two houses and they will continue to collaborate to hand over the final three houses this year.