Single mom happy to be out of leaky home

During the last Atlantic hurricane season, Janell Mannings dreaded the possibility of a natural disaster destroying the dilapidated thatch dwelling she lived in.

But this June, Mannings and her two children are in a completely different space, which provides them with more peace of mind.

In March, they moved into a fully furnished, concrete one-bedroom house, which was built by First Union Credit Union. The institution came to Mannings' rescue after her story was highlighted in THE STAR last June. As the hurricane season approaches, the 26-year-old's wish is that persons who are living in situations similar to what she was in, will be delivered.

"I know what it feels like to be in a house and have to be worried if the rain is going to fall," she said. "Sometimes me use to be out and if it look like rain a come, me start rush fi go home. So I don't wish that on anyone especially if they have kids."

She added "Me honestly don't want to hear about any hurricane because a lot of people still nuh have good house. Me have a better place but me have to remember how hard it was to not have somewhere strong. Some roads here in Bog Walk are flooding out, but I hope it don't get worse."

Life before the new house saw Mannings rearranging her furniture and occasionally using various instruments to collect any water that came in through the holes in the roof.

"Me remember when me use to have to put bucket and stuff like that to catch water. All me bed use to soak any time rain fall and cold air come in on me and the kids," said Mannings. "It was not easy and me glad me and my kids are not there anymore."

We all have our own bed, the kids them have space to play inside and everything. We have our inside bathroom and every time the kids them must go bathe them get excited," Mannings laughed.