Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer
SPANISH TOWN:
THE FAMILY of Victoria Francis, almost a year after the passage of Hurricane Ivan, is still hurt by her drowning.
Her sister, Lydia Francis, told The Gleaner that on the fateful morning last year, Victoria, who was blind, decided to leave the All Saint Church in Hartlands where she was with her two children. As the blind woman stepped onto the road which was covered by waist deep water, she was swept away.
"Bwoy all now mi caan believe say she drown, because mi did warn her not to go on the road," Lydia said.
She went on to explain that her 30-year-old sister had five children when she drowned. She lamented that none of the children's fathers had taken care of them.
"She never grow wid wi, and when she come back from St. Mary, she have three pickney. She have fi give dem out fi adoption, and while she was here, she got two more children. It really sad dat she really dead," Lydia said.
She said the Government has taken the remaining two children. She also said that the family has been surrounded by misfortune, as four years ago, a sister who is of unsound mind, lost two children to fire in the community.
Lydia said that the passage of the hurricane was really horrible and left painful memories.
While The Gleaner team was at her home, it was observed that several barbed-wire strands were used to hold the roof intact.
Lydia said she would be better prepared in case other storms come during this season.
In that event, she will have to leave home and stay with relatives. She has four children, and for that reason she still worries.
