‘Mi thank God’: 78-y-o woman gets roof fixed more than year after Beryl
CLARENDON, Jamaica — After more than a year of living in unsafe conditions due to a roof that was damaged by Hurricane Beryl, an elderly woman in Portland Cottage can now sleep comfortably under the newly repaired covering thanks to Food for the Poor Jamaica and her neighbours.
“Me get it fix and mi thank God,” 78-year-old Hazel McLean told Observer Online during a visit by the news team to the area on Thursday. “The rain dew last night and it nuh trouble me.”
In July, McLean’s struggle was highlighted by the Observer, the senior citizen revealing that when it rained, she was forced to sit with a plastic tub catching water, while her bed, dresser, and appliances were destroyed.
She said at the time that she was using the Government’s $150,000 relief grant to patch columns and get a toilet, while the roof remained exposed.
Neighbours Derrick Anderson, a returning resident, and long-time friend Karl Golding stepped in where they could, patching and sealing the roof to keep her dry. But Anderson admitted then that the house was unsafe, noting “This house can’t even take hurricane now. Just breeze blow off the zinc, cause kotch we kotch them on.”
Derrick Anderson points to the salitex he installed on the roof of Hazel McLean’s home to help prevent leaks (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)
When Observer Online revisited Portland Cottage on Thursday, McLean was overwhelmed with gratitude, saying she is finally able to sleep comfortably at night.
She shared that her health has been deteriorating but a comfortable living situation has made her circumstance more bearable.
Food for the Poor stepped in to assist with the roof repairs in August, and Anderson has since followed up by adding salitex to help with insulation and repairing cracks in the floor.
The house was also repainted with a bright yellow coat.
Hazel McLean’s home with newly renovated roof and paint job (Photo: Llewellyn Wynter)
McLean shared that she received a new mattress, which she says has added to her comfort.
“Thanks, very many thanks, because they come and help me,” said a relieved McLean.
