Sweet escape to Paradise Plus tree house

As a youngster, Wrol Foster was overjoyed to travel from Mandeville, Manchester to visit his grandparents in the community of Mayfield, also in the parish, and bask in the beauty of the countryside.

But fate and what Foster believes to be divine inspiration have led him to build a fully functional tree house that he calls 'Paradise Plus', in a specific tree in the community.

"This particular tree, I decided I was going to prune the branches and widen the landscape. But, when I put the ladder on the tree, it's like it started talking to me, like God calling on Moses, and the idea for the tree house came," he explained. With very little experience in building construction and no experience in architectural design, Foster said he immediately began thinking about the materials he would need to bring this idea to reality.

"It just manifested. I never used any plan and, if I had tried explaining it to someone, they would have said me a idiot ... . I just kept going and going and, to be honest, it was not me. Everything I needed was there. There were times when I didn't have to cut a piece of lumber because it was naturally cut to fit. I believe it was the Most High working through me," Foster said.

He started the structure in 2018, before leaving for England, and then, later, the United States of America. Since returning, he has expanded and retrofitted the space which comprises two multi-purpose rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a balcony and a gazebo, all sustained by a water catchment system. It is also solar-powered.

"COVID actually inspired this a lot because this thing a gwaan a way and I needed a place to come chill out when everything is going haywire. I have food, shelter, comfort, style, everything. I am in the process of building my own generator now that uses neither gas, oil nor water," said Foster. He believes that the house is special and admits that, though he is mindful of natural disasters, he is prepared and fearless.

"I have been searching and I haven't seen a set up like this ... . I am a strong believer in my Father Yahua and, the last storm that come to Jamaica, I was here in the tree house and it stood like a rock, though it wasn't as sturdy as it is now," he said. Foster said he has since added two posts under the structure for support and installed lightning rods that run from the top of the tree into the ground.

"I am mindful of anything that may happen. Nothing lasts forever. I know persons who build their billion-dollar house and it's either dem leave it or it leave them. This is something I decided I am going to do, no matter the cost. If it fails or doesn't fail, I am going to do it. I try not to follow the concept of regular humanity. I try to step out of the box and make things happen and pray the resources [align]," the innovator admitted

Foster, who now uses the tree house as his secondary home, said that he is working on making the space a getaway.

"There are plans to work on a tank, a swimming pool, and I am going to finish it up and do all of that. I will definitely make it available for persons who would like to visit, who like nature, organic foods, all-inclusive offering," he said. Described as a tranquil community with a picturesque backdrop of lush greenery, Foster said Mayfield has proven to be the ideal location.

"We don't worry about security here. Nobody takes people's stuff here, and that's one thing I can lift my hat to Mayfield for," he said.