FILE
Samuels' professional obligation does not allow him to stay away from the National Housing Trust all weekend.
Susan Gordon, Staff Reporter
"Foxes have holes. Birds
have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay His head."
These words were uttered by Jesus in St. Matthew's 8:20 and the philanthropic managing director of the National Housing Trust (NHT), Carlton Earl Samuels is ensuring that no Jamaican will say he or she has nowhere to live.
Under his careful stewardship since 1998, the Trust has provided over $36.02 billion in residential mortgages for Jamaicans and has increased its loan limits to beneficiaries by 200 per cent in a nine-month period.
Late last month, the Trust said it expected 1,675 more Jamaicans over last year's number to access their benefits to acquire their self-owned shelters, but after last week's rapturous announcement of an increased NHT loan limit, he anticipates more persons going after their benefits.
"I think that everyone should have goals and dreams and be aspiring," he shared as his personal philosophy.
The very astute chartered accountant's place at NHT is no coincidence. He told Sunday Business that his reason for advancing to his present post in the company after serving as finance project coordinator in 1992 was because he realised that NHT is the type of organisation that can transform lives and give shelter to humanity.
"I think shelter is a basic human right," said Mr. Samuels, who played a major role as immediate past president of the St. Andrew Rotary Club, in securing shelter for 32 homeless street boys with a newly built hostel.
WEEKENDS
On the weekends when the very committed leader is away from the life transforming institution, he is helping to keep his environs intact.
Perhaps it was his stint at the National Sugar Company Limited which helped to develop his love for greenery, who knows? Whatever it is, he is extremely fond of plants.
After he does his Saturday morning walks (which starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at the Emancipation Park or beyond) Mr. Samuels returns home to tend to his plants.
"I always find something to do. If the gardener is there, I go out and supervise work with him," he shared.
TIME FOR FAMILY
But the active family man, who is married with three children, also allots quality time to family.
On Saturdays after walking, he relishes fatherly duties of taking and collecting his youngest daughter from extra classes for the Grade Six Achievement Test and dancing.
"I sometimes drive out to my family home in Montego Bay and visit family and friends there," said Mr. Samuels.
However, his professional obligation does not allow him to stay away from NHT all weekend.
"Sometimes I drop by the office to catch up on work or prepare for a meeting. I don't like to carry over things into the other week," he admitted of his Saturdays.
"On rare occasions, I'm back in the office," he smiled accounting for Sundays.
Mr. Samuels is also a Christian and makes going to worship a priority on Sundays.
"By 8:15 a.m., I try to be at church,' he said. "After church, I have my breakfast and read the papers ... all three," he chuckled.
