No more scary nights as family gets new home - Philanthropist helping to build safer abodes for neighbours
Nightfall would be the most dreaded time for 30-year-old Lemaya Webb and his New Building, St Elizabeth family of four.
Their fear stemmed from feeling vulnerable to outside factors, which might impede on the dilapidated, one-bedroom zinc house they have been calling home for the past 20 years.
However, yesterday brought a new horizon as the family moved into a more ideal place to call their home.
"My previous living condition was so bad, I was living in basically outside. Is just some second-hand zinc we put together and stay under there so we could have somewhere to sleep. I never have any money to say build a new place but me just wait until better come," Webb told THE WEEKEND STAR.
Better did come, sooner than Webb expected, through a good Samaritan, Nicholas Clarke. On Wednesday night, the Webbs got the keys to a two-bedroom, one-bathroom dwelling nestled in the hills.
"Me do every little thing from construction, farming, electrical just to make sure the family all right, but it just never make enough," said Webb. "Nick just come and see our situation and decided to help. We didn't even know he was planning to build the house because he is a man of surprises. I'm feeling so good. I'm speechless right now. Last night (Wednesday) when I lay down in it I couldn't sleep because of me happy. Me cry so badly until my heard started hurting me."
Webb's babymother, Alicia Griffiths, 23, cried as she expressed how much their lives have changed, especially for their children, ages six and two. Griffiths dropped out of high school at age 15 after losing her dad and was forced to settle with Webb in their previous home.
"I couldn't even wake this morning to how the place comfortable. When I was at the other place I never feel safe but now me and my kids are in a better place," she said. "I'm really happy for what Nicholas has done and may God continue to bless him."
Clarke, 27, who was featured in THE STAR last December, has been impacting lives throughout New Building. He attributes his philanthropic mindset to his late grandmother, who went above and beyond for her neighbours. Clarke revealed that he managed to construct three homes within five months through contributions from his YouTube subscribers.
Recipient of the first home in December, Thericia Kelly, Webb's neighbours, told THE WEEKEND STAR that she and five children received the best Christmas gift.
"I wasn't at a stable place. Everything there was getting wet and insect and stuff used to come in on us and cut up our food because the place was just breaking apart," said the 28-year-old. "When I receive the house I was shocked. I stand up about two hours looking at the place and ask if it is really mine. Me feel comfortable and happy because even if I'm home and I don't have food I can call on Nick and he bring food." For Clarke, handing over the keys to new homes is like buying his neighbours new shoes.
"It is very emotional to see where they were coming from and where they are now, especially when they have children in the family. I know they feel brand new and I feel the same," he said.