‘Me need some help fi live better’ - Lluidas Vale resident wants change in her living conditions

St Catherine resident Natasha Rhoden is dying for a decent place to call home. The 47-year-old mother of four currently lives in a dilapidated one-room board and zinc structure in Lluidas Vale. The house has no running water or electricity, and it lacks modern bathroom and kitchen facilities.

"Is years now mi a live like dis and mi need help to get a place to live. Every time the rain fall mi get wet and water come inside the house and stain everything," Rhoden said.

She told THE STAR that her main source of income comes from doing odd jobs such as washing and cleaning in the community, but those income streams have dried up since COVID-19 as many people can no longer afford to pay for domestic work.

"Sometimes is people offer me little food to eat," she said. "Me need some help fi live better."

Rhoden's house is said to have been in a state of disrepair for some time. Kevon Martin, 18, one of her children, wants to see a change in her living conditions.

"I would come and stay wid mi modda but there is no space here. I would love for some help for her. I have even start doing stunts on my bicycle to see if I can get some money to also help," Martin said. Tennesha Adams, a resident of Lluidas Vale, said Rhoden's situation is dire.

"She needs help badly as rats have even infested the place and this can be dangerous for her. We (community members) collected some donations from several persons and bought cement and two sheets of ply board to keep out the rats," Adams said.

Persons wishing to assist Natasha Rhoden may contact her via telephone at (876)423-7102 or her son Kevon Martin at (876) 501-2260.