Norman Grindley/Deputy Chief Photographer
Karen Elliot and four children shelter at the Old Harbour Bay community centre in St. Catherine on October 12.

OLD HARBOUR, St. Catherine:

October 19, 2007 will be a date that will always be part of Karen Elliot's life. It is the day that she lost the company of her four children.

Elliot, in an interview with The Gleaner, said despite her getting a few days work, which enables her to visit her children who have been taken by the Child Development Agency (CDA), she is still an empty woman.

And, despite the many encouraging arguments, she is still in limbo. "I am not able to get the house from Food For the Poor as yet as persons who promised to help with the land changed their mind and I have to be waiting to try again," she said.

The winds of change had been coming for Ms. Elliot for some time, as Hurricane Dean brought forth the demise of her second house.

Since that time, the mother of four and her children had been living in sub-human conditions and The Gleaner published a story saying as much.

That publication led to an investigation by the CDA, who found it necessary to take the children until Ms. Elliot could provide a safer environment for them.

Feeling helpless

Even though the authorities plan to pay her rent if she gets a place, Ms. Elliot said the gesture has proven futile and it is making her feel helpless.

To compound the problem, Ms. Elliot said her children's father did not play his role and it has resulted in her children getting hurt.

"Bwoy, I use to live with mi children father, 'Teethfill', who works at the terminal [Jamaica Public Service plant in Old Harbour Bay], and from him leave him stop take care of the children and this is very, very hurting to mi as I cannot say that dem anno fi mi pickney and mi nah run lef them," said Ms. Elliot.

She spoke to The Gleaner while eating and had to stop, saying that each time she eats, she envisions her children sitting across the table.

Meanwhile, Food For the Poor has said it is still interested in helping the 37-year-old woman and that the case is being investigated. According to the organisation, Ms. Elliot needs to get a lot of land to construct a house.

A church in Old Harbour Bay is said to be working with Food For the Poor to sort out the problem, so the mother and her children can be reunited.

Elliot also said she would appreciate the financial intervention of the two fathers of her children.

- Rasbert Turner