Tweet
A 30-year-old mother of three is now in distress because of the possibility that her two-year-old son may be taken away from her and placed in a government home.
Nelta Saunders' story was first published in THE STAR in July 2008, under the headline, 'Family House Falls Apart'. Today, however, another chapter, an even more painful one, has been added to that story.
The single mother had come to THE STAR seeking help because she was unable to care for her children and was living in a dilapidated house. When THE STAR visited her home in Seaforth, St Thomas, the conditions were indeed deplorable. The family slept on a bed that was barely coping and they stared into a ceiling that was hardly there. The walls were crumbling and the house would flood whenever it rained.
Saunders got some help through THE STAR and Food For the Poor and was given a home. She, however, was unable to furnish it and that has come back to haunt her.
in the hospital
She said her youngest child, a two-year-old boy, has been in hospital for the last two weeks. She said, "Him did have a likkle flu and mi bring him out dere, but dem neva like how him look, so dem admit him. Dem seh him tek dung bad."
She said doctors told her that he was malnourished and had a bad case of worms. She said she was also told that if it was proven that she was unable to properly care for him and if investigations revealed that the conditions were unfit to raise a child, he would be taken away. This, is a possibility she does not even want to think about, let alone face.
" Mi go through too much wid dem, fi dem tek him whe from mi," she said. " Dem seh dem nuh want give him to mi and den him come back wid di same problem again."
She said even though she is trying her best to improve the living conditions, it is hard. "Mi house not even have a bed, a di same ole piece a bed, wi a sleep pan. Mi a try sell some soap and disinfectant, mi walk and sell dem. Some time mi wi mek $500 or sometime $700 or even less sometime, but dat a fi jus buy food fi wi."
She continued, " Mi really nuh waan dem tek him whe, mi jus want find a way fi earn some money so mi can try buy a likkle bed. Sometimes tru mi nuh have it, a four or five days pass before mi go look fi him, so dem might all tink mi neglect him, but mi jus nuh have it."
She explained that it would cost her $150 from her home to the capital Morant Bay and then another $70 to Lyssons where the hospital is. That cost is one-way and does not include food, drink or other items that she would have to purchase. She said the children's fathers do not help. She said she had taken out a summons against one of their fathers but was unable to serve it because she did not have the money.
Saunders told THE STAR that she is more than willing to work, but just can't seem to get a job. She said if she could get more items to sell she would be grateful.
Anyone willing to help Saunders to save her child may call her at 394-1889.
Nelta Saunders' story was first published in THE STAR in July 2008, under the headline, 'Family House Falls Apart'. Today, however, another chapter, an even more painful one, has been added to that story.
The single mother had come to THE STAR seeking help because she was unable to care for her children and was living in a dilapidated house. When THE STAR visited her home in Seaforth, St Thomas, the conditions were indeed deplorable. The family slept on a bed that was barely coping and they stared into a ceiling that was hardly there. The walls were crumbling and the house would flood whenever it rained.
Saunders got some help through THE STAR and Food For the Poor and was given a home. She, however, was unable to furnish it and that has come back to haunt her.
in the hospital
She said her youngest child, a two-year-old boy, has been in hospital for the last two weeks. She said, "Him did have a likkle flu and mi bring him out dere, but dem neva like how him look, so dem admit him. Dem seh him tek dung bad."
She said doctors told her that he was malnourished and had a bad case of worms. She said she was also told that if it was proven that she was unable to properly care for him and if investigations revealed that the conditions were unfit to raise a child, he would be taken away. This, is a possibility she does not even want to think about, let alone face.
" Mi go through too much wid dem, fi dem tek him whe from mi," she said. " Dem seh dem nuh want give him to mi and den him come back wid di same problem again."
She said even though she is trying her best to improve the living conditions, it is hard. "Mi house not even have a bed, a di same ole piece a bed, wi a sleep pan. Mi a try sell some soap and disinfectant, mi walk and sell dem. Some time mi wi mek $500 or sometime $700 or even less sometime, but dat a fi jus buy food fi wi."
She continued, " Mi really nuh waan dem tek him whe, mi jus want find a way fi earn some money so mi can try buy a likkle bed. Sometimes tru mi nuh have it, a four or five days pass before mi go look fi him, so dem might all tink mi neglect him, but mi jus nuh have it."
She explained that it would cost her $150 from her home to the capital Morant Bay and then another $70 to Lyssons where the hospital is. That cost is one-way and does not include food, drink or other items that she would have to purchase. She said the children's fathers do not help. She said she had taken out a summons against one of their fathers but was unable to serve it because she did not have the money.
Saunders told THE STAR that she is more than willing to work, but just can't seem to get a job. She said if she could get more items to sell she would be grateful.
Anyone willing to help Saunders to save her child may call her at 394-1889.
Comment