Some of the houses donated to the Portland Cottage hurricane victims. - NORMAN GRINDLEY
SEVERAL RESIDENTS IN the flood ravaged community of Portland Cottage, Clarendon, have benefited from the benevolence of the Food For The Poor Organisation.
The organisation donated 50 houses to those who lost their homes to Hurricane Ivan and last year's hurricanes. What is now referred to as the 'scheme', but is really the Jackson Bay area of the community, came into being in March 2006.
LUCKY ENOUGH
The two bedroom units include a bathroom and a veranda, and though the houses many not be very big, they mean the world to people who previously had nothing and no idea where they would lay their heads.
When THE STAR visited the 'scheme', several residents were seen going about their daily lives. One resident,Jen, who was relaxing on her veranda, told us that she had lived in the area for over a year and had been lucky enough to be given one of the houses after hers fell victim to the storm. Jen lived in Rocky Point, but said the roof of her house gave way during the hurricane and her entire house was flooded. She told THE STAR, "Things are better now. Up here nice."
She admitted that there was no electricity or water in the community but quickly added that all the houses were outfitted with a water tank. THE STAR also learnt that during times of drought, trucks come to the community to fill the tanks.
Spencer Reynolds, construction co-ordinator at Food for the Poor, told THE STAR that they made the decision to donate the houses after witnessing how badly the residents had been affected. He said the fact that the Salt Pond area of the community had been declared a disaster zone, made it uninhabitable and the residents had nowhere to go.
He added that the project was one on which they had partnered with the Clarendon Parish Council. Plans were made to run water to the community, but because of insufficient funds, these had to be changed. "We are now in the process of getting quotations for running the water from the road, so we can get water into the houses." He said the water pressure in the area was very low and this would have to be addressed if the changes were to have any effect. He also said the organisation was meeting with the Jamaica Public Service Company and looking at options for electricity. Again, insufficient funds account for the delay in delivery of this service.
HIGHER GROUND
He says the site was chosen because it was decided that it was beyond the reach of storm surges and was on higher ground. He however admitted., "It would be better with light and water, because no one wants to live in darkness, but all things considered, it's not bad,." He mentioned that they would be sending furniture and bedding to the site as soon as they received another shipment.
The houses were built stronger than the regular two-bedroom houses, with more timber, hurricane straps and thicker roofing and this he believes makes them better options than some of the houses the residents lived in.
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