❒ Stewart receives help after fire destroyed home

Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

A week after losing her belongings in a fire that destroyed her home off Maxfield Avenue, things are starting to look up for Claudette Stewart.

Stewart and her four children were left homeless at the start of the new year after an early morning fire razed their one-room dwelling. They however managed to escape, though only with their lives, when Stewart kicked open the door after she was unable to locate the key.

When Stewart visited THE STAR's offices, she was a picture of dejection and despair and found it hard to relate her story through the steady flow of tears. On Thursday, however, she was in a more thankful and jubilant mood and told THE STAR that thanks to the benevolence of many, both in Jamaica and overseas, she has started to piece her life back together.

calls

She said: "I get calls from all over the place. I get a little food stuff and some clothes. Quite a few people called me and some people from abroad send me a likkle ting. Mi get two mattress yesterday and mi get a two-burner gas stove."

Stewart said she would be using the money to purchase uniforms and other school-related items for her children so they could return to school as soon as possible.

Thank unnu very much

Now, she is on the hunt for a place to live. She explained, "Di two mattress wha mi get a dem mi put pan di floor a di girl place whe wi a stay and wi lie dung pan dat. But mi a give God thanks fi di help. Thank unnu very much. Right now, di pickney dem nuh naked. Mi jus waan God fi help mi find a place."

Stewart is hoping to return to work soon and said she is willing to pay up to $4,000 per month for a one-room dwelling.

Anyone who is willing to help Stewart find a place to live may contact her at 507-0466.