An impassioned plea to help a struggling mother and her four children has triggered a massive effort to provide decent living conditions for the females in seven days.
Less than 24-hours after social media influencer Jordan English highlighted the plight of Katura Luke’s family, construction and sanitation contractor Anderson Cherry has pledged to do “whatever it takes” to improve the family’s condition.
And while the house at Diamond Valley, St Philip, is being transformed, management of the nearby Crane Resort has agreed to provide all-inclusive accommodation for the family.
Cherry, managing director of Jose Y Jose Liquid and Solid Waste Management Inc explained that after seeing English’s appeal on social media, he visited the site to get a first-hand look at the decrepit state of the 39-year-old single mother’s home.
He reached out to some of his customers in the hotel industry who have been more than willing to assist with thousands of dollars in cash and kind, he told Barbados TODAY.
Cherry mobilised the Waste Haulers Association for the cleanup of clutter including bottles, plastic, dirty clothes and other items in and around the house.
“I met with [Katura] and we discussed some ideas and things that she would love to see in the house and we will be reaching out to Corporate Barbados to see what donations we can get. We are going to paint the house, clean it and outfit it with furniture, stoves, beds, and fridges. We would like all new things to put in the house and make the people comfortable along with clothes and other items for the children,” he told Barbados TODAY.
“The amount of money is not an issue. We will do whatever it takes along with the help and support of my customers that have supported me over the years who keep Jose Y Jose’s doors open. We are going to give it our best shot and do everything possible to make the family comfortable.”
Tiles, galvanised roofing, concrete boards, and paint along with numerous appliances are still needed to make the seven-day makeover a success.
In the meantime, the children, two of whom celebrated a birthday on Tuesday, were treated to a limousine excursion by Lyndhurst Funeral Home, before being taken to Crane Resort for a seven-day stay.
Cherry said he will spend his 48th birthday on Wednesday working closely with English who he described as “a very wonderful and passionate man”.
He added: “In these hard economic times, we too [Jose Y Jose] are going through a very difficult time losing 80 per cent of our revenue because most of our clients are hotels. So our bottom line took a very hard hit. It is a very difficult time for my company, but we still have to reach out and help other people and I want to encourage Barbadians to come onboard and help with any other project that Mr English is helping out with. He is a very wonderful and passionate young man.”
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Thank God for the great news of help for the family I pray that as you do this that you will not only help them with those things needed but someone will still check in and continue to assist them as she has so much health issues she would also need assistance from time to time with keeping her home in a good condition because after dialysis they are often unable to do anything thank God for Mr English and Mr Cherry the crane and all who are going to assist I don’t know her but it pained my heart so once again may God bless each of you
It is heartbreaking to see people living like this in 2020. Thanks to Mr English for highlighting the woes of this family. It is even more hurtful to know that this mother is a former public servant with a many serious health issues. Nobody should have to live like this when others have so much that they don’t know what to do with it. I’m really impressed with Mr Cherry’s approach to the situation especially since he himself has endured a lot of adversity. To me he is like the proverbial” stone that the builder refused”
Was a check done to see who owns the property and why it remained in this state? Were other issues checked? St. Philip like the rest of Barbados has a culture of helping neighbours in need!!
A word to the wise: look and then leap … sometimes you have to do a bunny hop. Help yes, but you may have to bunny hop
Great Journalism..words were heard loud and clear
I lay no blame at any person or organization feet. However i think the public should know from the constituen representative in the house of assembly, why this lady lives like this in 2020.
I can stand to give a little. How do we contact Mr. English?
She reach out to all the political parties in this country after notice was given for the house it is not own by her but no body help this was going on since the DLP was in power I provided medical supplies food clothes whatever I could do but I could not put her in a home the government is the major cauuse they would not find a home but other persons was given although they did not need it. Our ministers need to look out for who in need and stop giving to those who want.
God is good. So happy she is getting help for her and her children.
It felt so good this morning to hear on the 8:30 news that help is on the way for this young lady and her four girls.
Tears came to my eyes
God Bless Fat Child.
Thank God for him and his Company to prosper even though going a hsrd patch as well.
God bless all who help.
It hurt me when i read this story and i was so happy and thankful to God for the help they’re getting in such a quick time because it was a matter of emergency. Thanks to Mr English and Mr Cherry God bless you both and the crane also. God wants us to help those in need. People should show love in action and don’t look for faults. God bless this family.
I am so happy for this fam. I prayed for them. Thank u Father. Bless all those who are assisting and who might find it in their hearts to continue to support these precious souls. Medical assistance must be provided.
Keep up the good work.
God Bless those volunteers for doing a great job