Portland mother still waiting for help

A year after Hurricane Melissa destroyed her home in eastern Portland, Francita Renford says she is still waiting for government assistance while struggling to support two children, including a son enrolled at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE).

Renford, a single mother from Windsor in the Rio Grande Valley, lost her three-bedroom plywood house when the hurricane struck on October 28, 2025. Although her family escaped unharmed after leaving the property before the storm, the house was reduced to rubble, with furniture and personal belongings scattered across the hillside.

Today, she and her children remain displaced.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Tuesday from her workstation along West Street in Port Antonio, Renford said she continues to rely on the generosity of a fellow church member for accommodation.

“I am still staying with a church sister of mine, who has been very patient, tolerant, and kind. She is not family by blood, but she is a very decent church sister,” Renford said.

Her frustration stems not only from the loss of her home, but from what she describes as an almost year-long wait for assistance.

Under the Government’s Restoration of Owner-Occupant Family Shelters programme, grants are provided to homeowners whose houses are damaged by storms and other disasters. Assistance ranges from $75,000 for minor damage to $200,000 for major damage and up to $500,000 for severe damage, following assessments by the relevant authorities.

Renford said officials from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security visited her property shortly after the hurricane, but she has heard little since.

“Since a team from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security (MLSS) visited, about four days after the hurricane, I haven’t gotten any assistance. I even visited the office of the member of parliament (Isat Buchanan) sometime in August of this year, but was told that there was no way I could benefit from two grants. A call was also made from the office of the MP to the [MLSS] office, where it was confirmed that I was on their file,” she said.

It is understood that the decision by the MP’s office not to offer additional assistance was based on the expectation that Renford’s application for government support was still being processed amid high levels of demand from other affected residents.

Burden of rebuilding

The uncertainty has deepened the financial strain on the mother of two, who must find lunch money and bus fare for both her son at CASE and her daughter, a student at Titchfield High School.

“After almost a year, I have not gotten any definitive word as to when or if I will ever get any assistance. I just need some building material like zinc, board, plyboard, and such. I have not seen any councillor, and it is so frustrating for me and my children. It is tough having to provide for my children, but my son is determined that he will do well at CASE, so as to be better able to care for me and his sister.”

Despite the challenges, she said support from relatives, friends and her church community has helped the family endure. She also praised her son for doing his part to ease the burden.

“During the summer, he (my son) took a summer job at a service station in Port Antonio, which really was a good thing, as it helped us out very well. Family members, friends, and my church family assisted with the tuition; but this term, he managed to secure a student loan. It is all God’s doing and I thank Jesus Christ every day, but we still need our own space,” she added.

For Renford, the priority is modest: enough materials to rebuild and reunite her family under their own roof.

“I just want somewhere that I can call home ... my own home. Yes, my children are with me in a one-bedroom provided by my church sister, who has been very kind and helpful. I really want to be able to get back into my own home with my children. I just need some sheets of zinc and plyboard to get my house up and running again. I just cannot afford the building material at this time.”

She said the loss of her home has left her dependent on informal trading and charitable support.

“It has really been tough on me since I lost my home in October last year. I still do a little selling (higglering) in Port Antonio on the weekend, but it is not enough. So I am appealing to anyone willing to help, to just reach out to me,” she said.

gareth.davis@gleanerjm.com