Mom, kids live under tarpaulin - Family sleeping in open since 2017 fire destroyed house

Olympic Gardens resident Sashana Walker is in dire need of assistance. In November 2017, the 28-year-old lost her home and most of her belongings in a fire, and she has been homeless since.

Currently, the mother of two lives under a tarpaulin in the yard where her home once stood.

Walker’s condition was first highlighted by youth ambassador Jahzeal Clarke, who uploaded a video of her living space on social media.

When THE STAR visited Walker yesterday, the effects of last week’s rain was still evident in the space that Walker places her bed. A mango tree provides shelter from the sun’s rays, and pieces of zinc are what separate the bed and other pieces of furniture from the main road. Her children, ages five and seven, are afraid, especially at nights.

“Even if I get afraid to sleep out here sometimes, I cannot show it. I have to be strong for the children and can’t let them know that. There are times when them afraid, but I just offer dem comfort and let dem know that everything will be OK,” she told THE STAR.

“The other day when the rain a fall and the thunder clap and dem bawl out, dem frighten so till dem drop asleep instantly. Mi have to feel them to make sure they were OK.”

The hurricane season started on June 1, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States has predicted nine to 15 named storms this Atlantic hurricane season.

Ponders her fate

Walker feels time is running out for her to get out of harm’s way.

As she ponders her fate, Walker says the horrifying events of November 2017 are still fresh in her mind.

“I had just finish combing my little sister’s hair and go bathroom. When mi come back out, the entire house was on fire. Mi start bawl out for fire, but it spread so quickly. NWC (National Water Commission) did cut off the water in the yard, and the community itself did have water problem, so the fire did hard to contain. The neighbours dem try dem best to help, but the house burn right down,” she said.

Shortly after, and with very little choice, Walker, her mother and children moved under the tarpaulin. Her mother, however, went to stay with other family members in Westmoreland.

“The other day me feel so bad when mi hear say she was in the hospital, and mi couldn’t even visit. It nuh nice living under here with the children. Sometimes dem catch up cold, and mi have to carry them to the health centre or give them some bush tea,” she said.

Walker said that she has been appealing to the public for assistance ever since her house was burnt down two years ago. However, she said that very little help has come their way.

“The PNP Women’s Movement gave me some blocks, but other than them is just pure promises I get. I don’t let the school know that we are living in this condition because I don’t want other children to tease my kids. I just pray I can get some help, even if is not for me but for the children. They are getting big, and I just want them to have a normal shot at life,” she said.

Persons wishing to assist Sashana Walker may contact her at 876-556-3866.