St. Catherine Mother Does Not Regret Her Move to a Food For The Poor Home

Kingston, Jamaica (Apr. 1, 2019) – “I need a roof over my head,” sang the Jamaican roots reggae group the Mighty Diamonds in the 1970s. Ms. Pearl Prendergast may have been singing this classic song before she moved into her new home three months ago.

“When the rain falls, I remember how it was there,” sighed Pearl Prendergast. She was talking about the “very old house,” where she grew up with her parents and siblings. Ms. Prendergast recalls instances when the roof would leak. Not only did she get wet inside when it rained, the house also did not have a suitable bathroom, and the kitchen was outside. She was “so happy” to be in her new two-bedroom house, provided by Food For The Poor Jamaica through the generosity of its overseas donors. Ms. Prendergast moved in three months ago.

The 52-year-old single mother of three said her former home in St. Catherine was in very poor condition. Although it is still standing, it is due for demolition, she noted, as it cannot be lived in. She grew up there as the youngest of five children. “When I pass by it now, I say to myself ‘Just look at it!’ Then I enter my lovely new house, and I am so happy,” added Ms. Prendergast.

Ms. Prendergast shares her new home with her ten year-old daughter. She also has two adult children: a 28 year-old son and a 26 year-old daughter. “I also have a grandchild, aged six!” she declared. She is very proud of her family.

The St. Catherine resident is particularly thankful for an inside kitchen, as her former home had an outside facility. She also loves the front verandah. The house includes a bathroom, hall/dining room and much more living space than she had before, she noted. “We are so thankful for it,” she added.

“I do a little farming,” Ms. Prendergast disclosed. She goes into Kingston to sell in downtown markets every two weeks or so.

“I have a mind to give something back one day,” she added. “I am so grateful to Food for the Poor – for what they have done for me and my family.”

In 2018, FFP Jamaica handed over 692 homes – that is, an average of almost 60 houses per month – providing much needed shelter and a home to be proud of to thousands of needy Jamaicans such as Ms. Prendergast and her family.

PREVIOUS HOME: Pearl Prendergast stops for a photo in the front yard of her previous home. Thanks to Food For The Poor – Jamaica and its kind donors, Ms. Prendergast now has a has a safe, new home for her family.

BEAMING: Pearl Prendergast (right) is grateful for her new home donated by Food For The Poor – Jamaica and its kind and caring donors. Excited to join her for a memorable family photo are her ten year-old daughter and six year-old grandson.