A home for the holidays - Single mother moving from rundown shack to concrete dwelling

While 2020 has been one of the most disastrous and unforgiving years for many, it has been the complete opposite for Janell Mannings.

Mannings, a single mother of two, is almost ready to move into a new home after many months of being confined to a dilapidated thatch dwelling.

Her story 'Single mother needs help to build home' was featured in THE STAR in late July. Mannings was especially dreading the hurricane season, which would possibly see her family being homeless. Fortunately, for the most part, they were spared the wrath of the elements.

In a matter of weeks after the story was published, a philanthropic St Catherine resident, Sasha Lounds, highlighted Mannings' situation on Facebook, and First Union Credit Union immediately reached out expressing interest in building a house for Mannings.

"Me feel really excited and I can't wait to move in. Even my daughter, every time she say 'mommy me can't wait to go in my new house', and it just warms my heart to know that they will be somewhere better," Mannings told THE STAR.

Better days are closer

The construction of the one-bedroom house started in September and Mannings is hoping for it to be completed by the latest January 1.

"I want to move in by Christmas but is just for the electrician and tilers to push and make it happen. Me really would want it to happen before Christmas because that is the time when everybody fix up," Mannings said. "I'm still at the old house right now. Everywhere wet just the same. Sometimes when the bed soak so me have to pad it up to sleep and me even iron it out a few times but better days are closer so I'm fine."

And stepping into a new home is not the only positive change Mannings is seeing. She has learnt how to drive and recently got her licence.

"I am young and to be a home owner means so much to me and me get me licence, so I have all the reasons to say this year was great to me," she said. "Right now I just want to get a job, try to add another room and to provide for the kids. Even a driving work would be great now that I have a licence."