Hurricane victim serving others at community centre

When THE STAR visited the hurricane-battered community of Beeston Spring, Westmoreland, recently, one could not help but notice a particular volunteer bustling through the crowd and handing out food boxes and care packages.

Like most of those gathered at the community centre, the volunteer, Teenah Jamieson, wore a weary expression, but she managed to smile, and offered hugs of comfort to others. As she wiped perspiration from her forehead, she told the news team that she, too, was homeless and was currently living in a good Samaritan's unfinished house.

"I have just a really tiny part of my roof standing. I am still here helping out and ensuring that persons get food. I am a part of a community development group, so I am here along with others just making sure people also get solar lights, blankets, hygiene kits, food boxes, and so on. I also met with someone from World [Central] Kitchen and let them know the dire needs of the persons living here. Persons from adjoining communities also benefit as well. I am in need, but there are others who are in worse condition, so I have to be selfless," Jamieson said.

The 38-year old said she and her family survived the hurricane's wrath by sheltering under a mattress.

"I don't have any top on my house. I was in my house through Melissa and the first part of the roof cave in, so myself and seven persons had to stay under a mattress until the end of the storm. I have a sister who is blind, and we were all there under the mattress. In the night when the hurricane passed, we all stayed on the roadside until we got someone's unfinished building to stay in. That is where I am now with the children and my sister," she said.

"I was born and grow in this place, and I never imagined that Beeston Spring would ever look like this. It is mostly board structure here, so we were hit by the hurricane terribly. Ninety-five per cent of the residents are without houses, and the concrete structures are without roofs," Jamieson added.

Among those who Jamieson was tending to were some persons who are occupying the Salem Primary School, which is currently being used as a shelter. Little more than 50 persons are being hosted at the learning institution, with their only belongings being the few clothing items they were able to salvage. Among them was Ruby Gordon, a 75-year-old who said she was battling hypertension by consuming garlic.

"Mi medication done and mi head feel tight bad, so mi daughter deh here a give mi garlic. All a we house gone in the storm. Is just the spot leave. Mi don't know how we a go start back, and mi don't know what we a go do if the people dem say dem want back the school," she said.