IN a display of compassion and generosity, Prodences Mannings, a strong and resilient mother from Clifton, St Catherine, has been granted a new house financed funded by the National Baking Company Foundation through Food For the Poor Jamaica.

This gift is a profound turning point in her life which is defined by faith, perseverance, and trust in the kindness of others.

After living in Sri Lanka for 15 years, Mannings and her two daughters returned to Jamaica in 2019. Upon her return she immediately faced the harsh reality of having no place to call home.

With two daughters to care for and nowhere to live, Prodences sought refuge with her sister, who offered her temporary shelter.

“My sister gave me their house in 7 West [Greater Portmore] to stay for a while. While I was there, they sold the house and asked me to leave. I came here [Clifton], I think in 2020,” Prodences said in an interview recently.

“Not having anywhere to live, myself and my two girls, I had to stay in a one room without a kitchen. I had to cook inside the room, and it wasn’t my place — I had to pay rent.”

While the single room was a challenge Mannings remained steadfast in her religious convictions in the face of these difficulties.

In 2020, she applied to Food For the Poor Jamaica in the hope of providing her family with a place to call home.

Her application was not successful but Mannings refused to give up and clung to the belief that things would turn out well for her and her daughters.

“I was crying out to the Lord asking what to do because I didn’t get through with Food for the Poor and I had nowhere to go with my children. Then I got the good news that I was gifted this house so I am grateful,” she said.

Her trust was rewarded in 2024 when she learnt that, because of the National Baking Company’s kind assistance, her dream of owning a house would come true.

“I can’t even express the way I feel because I know actions speak louder than words, and I can’t explain how I feel inside, but God knows. Very happy, I’m very happy,” she shared, her voice trembling with a mixture of gratitude and disbelief.

But, the joy didn’t stop there. On July 30, Mannings and her daughters were handed the title for a plot of land, at a title handover ceremony in Clifton by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

“It was a blessing to get the opportunity to meet with the prime minister that day. It’s also a blessing for my daughters…I’m very happy about what happened that day,” declared Mannings.

As they settled into their new house Mannings said she and her daughters were filled with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude, not only for the new physical shelter, but also for the love and support that have carried them through their hardest and most challenging times.

“This house that has been given to me is more than just a place to live. It’s a symbol of hope, faith, and the kindness of those who helped me along this journey. I am truly grateful,” said Mannings.

In the meantime, Lauri-Ann Samuels, executive director of the National Baking Company Foundation, said supporting families is at the heart of the foundation’s mission.

“And we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Food For the Poor Jamaica to further the cause. National will always seek to provide for those in need in our country. On days like these we are most grateful to be a part of the remarkable journey that saw Prodences and her daughters’ lives being so impactfully changed,” said Samuels.