Single mom of four begs for job to help family

A muddy track covered with grass and stones leads to the dilapidated one-bedroom dwelling that Julette-Marie Black and her four children have been calling home for eight years.

The condition of the place, located in Hartland, St Mary, is far from ideal. The roof is caving in, windows and doors are tattered and, when it rains, the house is similar to a river.

"It leak and everywhere basically soak and we have to set bucket and pans and the place just wet and full a mud," she said. "Not only that, anybody can just step in because the windows and doors not good when a night time. I have to just pray to guide and protect us." Currently, she is several months behind in her rent, as she can't find the first dollar.

Black, who is currently unemployed, said she used to travel occasionally on the farm work programme, but she has not since 2015.

"I did the farm work for two years but no money never really make, and what I had, I used to clear up bills that I owed. I also used it to send my children to school and stuff. The only thing I get to do sometimes is clean my church every two weeks and I get $1500 or sometimes my son will come and give me a money," she said. "Before COVID, I was doing a babysitting job, but only for two months. I had to quit because my son got sick."

Black said she doesn't know where her children's fathers are, as she has lost contact with them.

"Even my 18-year-old daughter got accepted to Mico University since last year September and she can't go because I don't have it," she said. Tears flowed as she recalled her childhood that was equally rough.

"My mother had 12 of us, so it was hard on her, so we never really get to go school or anything. So I left my mother's house when I was 17 searching for a better life, and that's when I got pregnant and now is like the same thing is gonna happen to my children," she told THE STAR.

Black said that, most times, the family has no food, but her church members "pack a little bag with rice, flour and some other stuff to help me out".

"Me just want anything at all where I can live comfortably with my children and if someone can give me a job so I can rent and pay for it. Right now, every clothes that my little son have is 'wear and left' because I can't afford to get him anything. I still don't mind. I give God thanks. I just need help, some help, and anything I get I appreciate it."

Those who wish to assist Black may contact her at (876) 397-0924.