By Trudy Simpson, Staff Reporter
Judiene Townsend holds her 18-month-old sons, Christoff, Chrisvaughn and Chrisean Kirkpatrick, while sitting on the verandah of the house she received from Food for the Poor. - Norman Grindley /Staff Photographer
WORRY IS one of Judiene Townsend's best friends these days.
Just three short years ago, she was on her way to success, her goal to set up her own business clearly outlined, as she graduated from the St. Catherine High School and enrolled in a catering course in Kingston.
Then life threw her a curve ball.
With just three months left to complete the catering course, Judiene became pregnant. Now, the 21-year-old resident of McCook's Pen in St. Catherine is the parent of 18-month-old triplets without a father to assist.
Abandoned by her boyfriend, who denied being the children's father, Judiene was forced to move in with her mother and siblings and ended up sharing a two bedroom house with 10 people. She, her sister and their combined five children shared one room.
As Judiene remembers, there is sadness mixed with love in her eyes and as The Gleaner watched on Friday, she lovingly cared for her boys.
She thanked her mother and sister for their help with the children and God and charity organisation, Food for the Poor, for providing her with a house.
"The room (at the other house) was crowded. I never have any space. Now I feel good," she says. "I couldn't believe at times that I would get the house. I never believe when mi hear. Nuff people said figet it, it take long and I never thought that me, me would get it. So mi pray and say that me have the three babies so they will see with me and they give me," she recalls.
As the interview continues, there is a glimmer of a smile.
"Food for the Poor help me. They gave me a house, settee and a table and a mattress. I would say a very big thank you because if it wasn't for them, we woulda still in a di one room."
The smile does not last long. Tears soon flow as she recalls her boyfriend's betrayal and describes how hard life has become despite getting help from Food For the Poor.
"I can't work right now because for somebody to look 'bout my children, it ah go hard. Mi haffi go pay," she says.
She receives a little help from a few friends and her mother but this is not enough. Her mother can do no more, because she does not earn much as a domestic helper and is also supporting her other children, including a 25-year-old who is currently out of work after having her second child.
"What would you want to change?" The Gleaner asks.
"Dem father. Him not helping me," she whispered, as more tears trickled down her cheeks.
School is still a dream for her. She admitted that she yearns to go back and has never forgotten the dream of running her own catering business.
"I want to go back. I want to go, but I'll probably have to try to go back when they start school because I don't have anybody to help look about them."
She also wants to be able to provide better things for her children and go to church more often.
"I used to go to church. I go sometimes but to carry the three of them... It's hard."
She begins to cry quietly again. The memories, The Gleaner realises later, are again of school and her former boyfriend. Her last words in the interview are to her children's father.
"I would say, if him should get more children, him mustn't treat them this way. He must take up his responsibility because one day they might help him," she advises.
