A young resident of Board Villa in Denham Town, West Kingston, collects water for daily consumption. - Ricardo Makyn photo
RESIDENTS of Board Villa in Denham Town, West Kingston, still tell the tale of flying houses.
The year was 1988 and Jamaica was being pummelled by Hurricane Gilbert.
"When Gilbert was here, some of de house dem all blow gone a 'Jungle' (a section of the adjoining community of Craig Town in South St. Andrew)," recalled Joyce, a 45-year-old resident.
Now, nearly 16 years later, Hurricane Ivan, a stronger hurricane, is bearing down on Jamaica and several residents of the community, comprising board and zinc houses, are unprepared for any impact.
Joyce, a mother of five, has decided to stay in her home and when The Gleaner visited the area yesterday, there were no signs of any preparation for the hurricane.
The reasons, some residents outlined, is that they did not have money to buy some items at this time.
Others like 21-year-old Taneisha, a seasonal seller who is a mother of a five-year-old and a two-year-old, have not prepared because they are not sure the storm will come.
HOPING FOR LUCK
But although sceptical, she and Joyce are hoping that Jamaica will be lucky enough to be spared another hurricane.
Seventy-year-old Milton Virgo, who was at home with his diabetic wife, Totsie Virgo, is also praying and hoping for a change in the hurricane's projected path. Mrs. Virgo remembers that during Hurricane Gilbert, she was sitting in bed in an area of her house in Tivoli Gardens when she looked up and the roof was gone. The couple was made homeless and did not get a new house in Board Villa until 1989.
They have been there since and firmly believe that God will spare them from again being homeless. In fact, the phrase 'God Saves', is painted on their house.
- T. S.