No place to call home - Elderly man lives next to hog pen

Imaging living in a structure that is constructed of pieces of wood, mesh wire, zinc and tarpaulin. It is the reality of Hubert Brown, a 70-year-old resident of Burton district in rural St Catherine.

“Is right here suh mi live, next to dah hog pen yah. It rough, and mi really glad fi si unnu,” Brown said.

The senior citizen is extremely worried that he could be in for some trying times this hurricane season, which forecasters say is expected to be very active. When THE STAR visited Brown in his community this week, he was seen reclined uneasily on an old car seat, which serves as his bed. Strewn about the place were his possessions, which comprised pots, plates, cups, utensils, and his few pieces of clothing. On the outside of the house was a wooden fireside, which he uses to prepare his meals whenever he can.

Not proud

“I have been living here for the last four years, and before that it was under a tree I live for about a year. I am not proud, but what can I do about it? I really need help,” Brown said.

Brown, who does not have any children, said that he was born in Guys Hill, St Catherine. He said that he suffered from the hands of thieves, and this has resulted in him being plunged into abject poverty.

“I was a farmer and I raised lots of cows, goats and pigs, but people tief dem from mi. I tried to start over, but di criminals dem wouldn’t stop tek set, and this is the end result,” Brown said.

Councillor Peter Abrahams of the Bog Walk division in the St Catherine Municipal Corporation recently led a team of persons to Brown’s place of abode.

“I was informed of his condition about two weeks ago and it hit me hard when I visited on Saturday. I gave him a care package of groceries, but I realised that he needs more than food. I will have to get help from the Food For The Poor and also the Poor Relief Department for him,” Abrahams said.