St James woman pleads for help

St James woman pleads for help

Alan Lewin

STAR Writer

Belva Phillips is known to many persons as Barbara, from a Flanker address in St James.

Many persons know her as the lady with the 14 children who are fathered by one man, as during the early 2000s she was often seen travelling to and from the Montego Bay market with her children, all carrying a scandal bag with foodstuff that was given to them by vendors.

opportunity

At one time, it is said that Gordon 'Butch' Stewart of the Sandals hotel chain gave Phillips and her children the opportunity to eat dinner at the Sandals Montego Bay hotel every evening. But that changed a few years ago, as it was while they were crossing the busy Flankers main road to the hotel to have dinner that two of her children were killed by a motor car. Since then, she said she hasn't had one of those delicious dinners again.

If that wasn't tragic enough, Phillips' house in the Flanker community was burnt down. Since then, she has been staying with one of her daughters. She is now appealing to the public for assistance in rebuilding her home.

Phillips says she is in need of construction material, clothing and school supplies for her children and grandchildren. She added that she also got a piece of land at Seaview Heights in Flanker, but she is yet to start any work on the land because she has not gotten the necessary help.

Her struggles are even further compounded by the fact that her husband, Altimont Whyte, died over five years ago from cancer. Since then, Phillips said things have become more difficult for her, as her husband was the breadwinner for the family.

Phillips is asking anyone who is willing to offer some assistance to call her at (876) 894-5786.