WESTMORELAND, Jamaica — Ten retirees from Westmoreland were formally presented with SMART Energy Grants by the National Housing Trust (NHT) last Friday during a groundbreaking ceremony for Chantilly Gardens in the parish.

Each grant, valued at up to $1.5 million, will allow recipients to install solar energy systems in their homes, offering a much-needed relief from energy costs.

Carmen Foster, a retired healthcare provider who served with dedication for over 35 years, shared that the support felt like a miracle.

“Mi glad bag buss! Mi glad, mi glad, mi glad! This feels like a miracle,” she said with joyful disbelief. “When I saw a relative install solar at her home, I felt discouraged because I thought I’d never be able to afford it. But today, I feel so accomplished. In retirement, you can feel invisible. But this makes me feel seen.”

Foster had applied after a friend encouraged her to try.

“I thought I had nothing to lose and I gained everything. This is a dream come true,” she added.

For 71-year-old Geneve McCulloh, the most moving part was learning that the grant required no repayment.

“When I heard that I didn’t have to pay back one red cent, me shock,” she said.

“Last year, I wanted to apply but was discouraged because I thought I couldn’t afford the upfront cost. This year, I was prepared to ask for an instalment plan. But then they told me I didn’t have to pay a thing.”

McCulloh, who had installed her system in February of this year, shared that the transformation was immediate.

“The installation process was seamless. When I got my first bill, it was $193. I was in shock. I have never seen a bill that low in my life. And when there’s a power outage? I don’t even notice. It has made my life so much easier. I finally feel at peace.”

The SMART Energy Grant is part of the NHT’s growing commitment to climate resilience. Launched in 2024 and expanded in 2025 to include both public and private sector pensioners, the programme helps vulnerable retirees access renewable energy technologies that would otherwise be out of reach.

In Westmoreland alone, 30 pensioners will benefit this year, with 420 beneficiaries expected islandwide (30 per parish).