Farmer loses everything in fire

On any given day, one can see small farmer Jennie Walters riding for approximately 45 minutes on her bicycle from her home in Monymusk to Lionel Town, Clarendon, to fetch water.

Following the tiresome journey, the 45-year-old mother of five then ventures into the bushes with her power saw to cut trees to build a coal kiln. However, last Friday, all of Walters' belongings, including her trusty saw and bicycle, as well as her side of a house, were destroyed in a fire that has left her almost hopeless. Walters' seven grandchildren, whose ages range between 14 years and 4 months, live with her. She is devastated at the loss and is reaching out to the public for assistance.

"Mi lose everything and mi deh pon mi face. Mi power saw and the bicycle gone. Is a good jump (distance) where mi go to catch water, and is not somewhere mi can walk go. All of our documents, including ID and TRN (taxpayer registration number), birth certificates [were destroyed]. All of the furniture and clothes, not even a sheet mi nuh spare. Not even food or clothes mi nuh have; is one of my cousins come and give us some clothes," she said.

Walters said she and her family were at a wake on Friday night when they learnt that their dwelling was on fire. She said one side of the house was spared, but the other side that she shared with her children and grandchildren went up in smoke. She said until the fire brigade responded to the call, her neighbours had tried to quench the blaze and, fortunately, prevented the other half of the house from being completely destroyed. Walters, who plants pumpkin and peppers, also lost her current crop in the fire, as they were planted behind the house. She also burns and sells coal.

"Mi did have $20,000 under the mattress and it bun up. We did already start buy materials fi make uniform for the grandchildren and those burn up, too. The only thing save is the digger that mi use to plant post, that's all. Mi work really hard and buy up mi tings dem, and mi just lose everything suh and just gone right back on mi face," she said.

"Right now is a pastor lady we staying with and we are so thankful that she lend a helping hand. I want to start back, but I don't know where to start because mi lose everything. Anyone who can help out, mi would glad because I don't have nothing at all," Walters added.

Persons wishing to assist Jennie Walters and her family may call 876-323-6368 or 876-575-2203.