Burnt out mom of 6 gets more than a Bible

WESTERN BUREAU:

Days after a devastating fire left Hanover mother Natalee Watson homeless and clinging only to her faith, the outpouring of support has begun to transform despair into hope.

Watson, whose story of loss and her plea for a Bible, moved readers across the island, is now set to have her modest two-bedroom board house rebuilt through a coordinated effort involving Hanover Charities, her member of parliament, and private-sector support.

Hanover Charities will cover 70 per cent of the cost to reconstruct the home, while Member of Parliament Andrea Purkiss has committed to financing the remaining 30 per cent.

A wonderful soul

Katrin Casserly, chairperson of Hanover Charities, said Watson’s quiet strength made the decision to assist immediate.

“She’s just a wonderful soul, and she deserves everything,” Casserly said.

She noted that Watson’s situation struck a particularly painful chord, coming just months after she had struggled to repair her home following Hurricane Melissa.

“What hurt us is that she worked so hard to fix her house after the hurricane, only to now become a fire victim,” Casserly said. “We could not think twice about helping her and doing what we can under the present circumstances.”

Casserly explained that Hanover Charities will lead the rebuilding effort, supplying most of the materials and labour.

“Since we are already doing construction work on other homes, we will be supplying most of the materials, about 70 per cent, along with the labour,” she said.

The house, which will include two bedrooms, a small living area, kitchen and bathroom, is expected to cost in the region of $3 million, though a final estimate is still being determined. Additional support is expected for items such as doors and windows.

Construction is expected to begin shortly, with materials already being organised for delivery.

Further strengthening the recovery effort, Watson’s employer has also stepped forward with critical household support.

“We found out about the fire and decided to step in. Noting the extent of her loss, we are providing a stove, three beds, a refrigerator, washing machine, pots and plates, along with a gas cylinder,” said Tashalee Johnson McDonald, senior human resources officer at Watson’s employer Osherms Consultants, which supplies workers to several companies including Red Stripe.

Watson’s pastor, Dwight Findlay, who has been assisting with coordination among the various entities, said one of the most significant developments since the fire is that her land title has now been approved.

He added that arrangements are also being made to clear the outstanding balance owed to her attorneys, a burden Watson had been working to resolve before the blaze.

The development is particularly meaningful, given that the money she had been saving was also lost in the fire.

Even so, it is Watson’s faith that continues to define her response.

In the aftermath of the blaze, while others focused on replacing what was lost, Watson’s only request was for her Bible.

For Casserly, that quiet act spoke volumes.

“She is not fussy about anything. She is just grateful,” she said.

Now, with walls set to rise again around her, Watson’s story is no longer just one of loss, but of a community that refused to let her stand alone.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com