Mother with two sets of twins gets best Christmas gift

Miriam McDonald, a 43-year-old mother of four, has never had more than $20,000 in her name at any given time.

Growing up, she said she never received a Christmas gift, as her mother Norma Wallace simply could not afford it. This Yuletide season, however, McDonald will financially experience her best Christmas yet. The Lucky Glades, Spanish Town, St Catherine, resident was named a beneficiary of the Wish Upon a STAR promotion. She was among hundreds of applicants who vied for cash prizes of $50,000 being offered by NCB Foundation.

"When I heard I was picked for the money, I said to my sons 'Yuh finally going to get school shoes'. The shoes that they have don't have any bottom. I keep on have to be glueing them. The boys were happy. This $50,000 means a lot because I can get their shoes, buy the babies their gifts, buy medication for my myself and mother, and use the rest buy food," she said.

A grateful McDonald smiled broadly for a few seconds as she sat on her verandah with her children, twins Jhordanne and Jhadanne Thomas, 11, and two-year-old twins Jhanaye and Jhenaye Bent. But her expression changed to one of sadness as she explained how life has been for the family. She told THE STAR that her only source of income is derived from babysitting two children. She also stated that she depends heavily on the assistance of friends and charity groups. The single mother, who spent most of her years in Ewarton, St Catherine, stressed that growing up, her family was always poor and they could not afford gifts.

"We lived in a Food For The Poor house in St Catherine. I use to wash people clothes, do hair and go market with my mother. That is how we survived as there were no 'jingle bells' for us at Christmas. This I tell yuh will be the best Christmas ever. For the first time we nah go wonder where food a come from and mi kids a go get a little gift," she said.

"My sons really really need the help especially with the back to school coming up January and they don't have any school shoes. My sons are in grade six and they are doing really well although they don't have any textbooks. I am my sons' mother and father because I am all they know. My daughters' father helps out when he can, so I would want to get them two gifts. Thank yuh STAR and thanks NCB," she said.

"Right now as I am speaking, my head is hurting me because I am out of medication. I am diabetic, hypertensive and I have asthma. For three months straight I couldn't see. But now I am seeing back although my vision is blurry. My mother has cataract and glaucoma and high blood pressure and all of my children are asthmatic," McDonald added.

Wallace is just as grateful that her daughter was selected to benefit from the Wish Upon a STAR promotion.

"Mi glad fi hear say she get the money and mi thankful to all who provide it. Mi feel bad when mi see mi daughter a struggle because a she responsible fi mi too. Mi badly in need of a test glasses but we can't afford it, so we don't even check the price," Wallace said.

Even though the family are $50,000 richer, they are still in dire need of assistance.

Persons interested in assisting Miriam McDonald and her family may contact her at 876-870-3175.