Member of Parliament Donovan Williams has rallied to the aid of 83-year-old Mavis Rhule, a Central Kingston resident, who was living in squalor.

The elderly woman was staying in a small dwelling on Smith Lane, which had garbage strewn about and without proper covering that sometimes exposed her to the elements. The walls to the premises were also breaking apart and falling to the ground.

Williams’ assistance has enabled Rhule to move to a more accommodative abode on Rum Lane. She has also gotten a new and comfortable bed along with a fan.

According to Williams, the aid initiative was from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), in tandem with the Poor Relief Department in the Kingston and St Andrew Municipal Corporation (KSAMC).

“It was brought to my attention that she was residing in some appalling conditions that are not fit for human habitation. When I came and saw the condition that she was living in, it touched my heart and I said, I had to do something urgently.

“So we contacted the Poor Relief Department along with the CDF, we found somewhere for her that is more conducive for dwelling and we got her a bed, a fan and groceries. It’s a start,” Williams said.

Williams praised individuals on Smith Lane for supporting the elderly woman during her time of need there.

“I want to highlight the young men of Smith Lane because when I came here, they were the ones who rallied around her, they were the ones who brought it to my attention and it goes to show that we still have young men in Central Kingston with a heart. Young men who respect their women and respect their elders and I really appreciate the effort,” the MP began.

“So she is now in a better place and I am truly happy for the partnership with the Poor Relief Department, the residents and the young people, who rallied around on Smith Lane, to ensure that she got some attention,” Williams added.

The Central Kingston politician stated that this will be the start of an initiative to identify individuals in the constituency who are living in deplorable conditions and assisting them through the CDF, while also working closely with the Poor Relief Department.

According to Rhule, she has a daughter with whom she has lost contact. She was happy for the assistance she received and was looking forward to being able to sleep comfortably for the first in a long time.

“Mi did a sleep pon bed, but it never did alright. It was a chakka chakka bed. Them do a good favour fi mi. You see after unuh gone now and mi put dung mi head a when cock a crow a morning mi wake. Mi thank unuh very much. Nobody naw guh trouble me again,” she said.

According to Central Kingston resident, Theresa McCrae, who led the initiative for the community, she was happy that the assistance rendered to Rhule was quick.

“It was like three days for her to be out of the conditions and living much comfortably. I have never seen any other situation where they acted so promptly. It was really great,” McCrae said.