After living on the streets for more than a week, 61-year-old Jenifer Francis, is seeking the public’s assistance.
For over two years Francis rented and lived in a dilapidated building on Field’s Lane in Roseau, but when the owners thought badly needed renovations were needed, she had to move out.
But she had nowhere to go.
And so for eight days now Francis has made the street her home, moving all her belongings to the sidewalk.
“Right now I am by the road with all my stuff,” she said. “I doh like it but I’m trying to cope.”
She has been preparing meals on a small coal pot and has been using the Roseau River as her bathroom and washroom.
Francis claims she sleeps with a cousin, however the cousin has no space for her belongings.
She also said she has a son but he is unable to assist her because he is sick.
She stated that she has found a place to rent in Fond Cole and intends to move there soon.
However, she has one major problem.
“The only thing I need is some money … a van I want to check to carry my things,” she said.
In the meantime she remains on the street until she can find some assistance for moving.
Anyone interested in assisting, no matter how small, should contact Christine at the Sun Newspaper at 277-5243.
My heart goes out to Jennifer, her son is sick (physically challenged) and I know she has been struggling from time on (it is just the two of them although I don’t see him with her anymore). She sells newspapers for “The Chronicle” going from business place to business place. Whenever she begs for money is to buy food so she gets assistance because everyone especially Roseau people know she is drug-free but struggling to make ends meet. I do hope that she get some assistance because that is someone that is really in need of it…. I will continue to prayer for a better way for her.
OMG!! this is heartbreaking! Love for our
neighbors need to step in here! Come on, lend a hand! A hire to Fond Cole is not very expensive. Out of curiosity – why was she put out before being able to move into a new place? Couldn’t the renovations works wait for another few weeks to get her into her new home first? or is there more in the mortar? 
By law, doesn’t the landlord have to give some period of advanced notice? I pray a lawyer can reach out to this sister of ours and get her some compensation for this injustice.
Check your BLUE Supporters that you were campaigning for in December 2014.
Labour @ work,the red clinic is shut down,no one should be in this condition,sad and 32 million was sent on an election,god help our people.
Can someone take this lady off the streets of Roseau I am off island but if I was in Dominica I would try my best to assist her to get off the streets, Where are the good Samaritans? this story makes my heart bled
My heart goes out to the lady, she could be my mother I believe that she should go to relevant authorities, Social welfare can assist Believe in the Lord and he will see you through.
Doesn’t she have family (brothers, sisters, children)???? If is the super six lotto she had won plenty family members would have jumped to grab/catch her. I will see how I can help! God is in total control.
It’s people like her that need a new house from the government
I know this lady very well . her son once work for mr pablow in the city of roseau for nothing but now he is in the states trying to make a living. some years ago some boyfriend that she had made her second son live in a dog house untill he pass away and nothing was done for this lady , the system has let her down in so many ways .
Mr PABOLW where is your humanity at this point in time, you still run small business in the city of roseau , her son work very hard for you in his young days for nothing , help the lady please.
humble
For two years this woman was living in a dilapidated house according to DNO report.. She also has a sick son . No one was able to identify the genuine need and refer her to the so call Yes We Care program that the Government so prides itself of. Now the situation has become an emergency then the cry for help is out, The selfishness and hypocracy is disturbing.
So why wait on the government. We are all Dominicans together. Can someone with a pick up offer the lady a lift to Fond Cole, is not like she is going to country. Geez man. Every damn thing is the government. The lady needs help, help her. She just needs a vep from there to there. From the looks of the items on the side of the street it doesn’t even appear to be a studio size she is moving. Just get together load up a truck – you know like “holate, can I get a lift for this lady to Fond Cole please”, and help the lady.
The owners of the house where she was living was not supposed to have put her out if she had nowhere to stay. She can also maybe try to see her parliamentary representative for assistance.
instead of posting that on dno, christine at the sun news paper can just contact a delivery truck at the port or at on of those hardware place to move the woman to fond cole. and mr touristism minister that why we cant get more cruise ship coming in port, roseau in a mess
what de hell Skerrit doing about this situation? Why is this in the news? What happen to you all Dominicans? Shame on the Government and the rest of you people of Dominica . What about the Social welfare department and those hyprocrites that call themselves christians? Shame on all of you .
You all Sunday christians and Sabath worshippers , now demonstrate what it really means to be christ like. I would want to believe my lady that you voted in the reecent election . My advise to YOU , is to go and sit on the step of your representative for it is he responsibility of Government to ensure that the natives are sheltered . Take a pattern on Barbados . Nation building is not infrastructure only , firstly it’s the empowerment of its people . WHEN YOU HAVE A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NATION , EVERYTHING ELSE SHALL FALL IN LINE . STOP THE ABUSE ON THE PEOPLE .
Mr Skeritt talks of helping the needy . where is he ? Every day the government use G I S to display the images of people thanking the labour party for giving them toilets , new homes , home repairs and the world . those images look like those used by some organisations to beg for money that they claim is to help african children displayed with dirt in their faces . WHERE IS THE GOVERMNMENT? , WHERE IS THE SOCIAL WELFAIR DEPT? do they know if she voted in the last elction or which party she voted for? or is that the reason she is on the street? just asking
H m
This is a heart breaking story,,,but any one with a good heart will not put another human being out on the street if this person is not a danger to them or their surroundings..they should encourage or help her get another home before putting her out like they discard rubbish ,where is the love people ?,I hope a political representative is reading this story will come forward to help this poor lady to get a solution to her problem because as human being she should not be living on a side walk …she looks quite fit ,lovely and descent although she is going through tough times..where there is a will there is a way..keep up the faith my lady..Where are the so called christians in dominica who are protesting against jamaican artists to help this lady,i am sure that the amount of “christians”that were matching on the streets if each one gives $1.00 to the lady it will be a good help…good luck ..
Wrong place to be in that situation Dominica, where are the social workers??? Well Bless France we basically don’t know that kind of situation especially for a woman..
As the calypso say “Dominica nice” you will get help. I hope the monsters seeing the need to help you
I am in sympathy with you Miss. Francis. However, my advice to you is to get yourself a red tee shirt and red cap with the print, Labour Ka Twavay, don’t forget to wear a pair of red shoes, if you can get a red umbrella to shield you from the sun, that is also good, stand at the corner of lagoon and Kenedy Avenue with your belongings, Skeritt must see you .
And somebody want to tell me that this government is for the poor. Can believe this. Labour ka traviel well well.
That my fellow Dominicans is a crying shame. It don’t have to be that way ,we can do better.
saw her today…she didn’t say anything… had no idea. This is sad. Will try to help as little as I can.
Mam, I will really like to try to squeeze something for you. This reminds me of my rough days.
Go ask Issac or Prevost!
Sorry to know that. Poor lady. This should not be occurring in D/ca. Imagine having a comfortable home and sleeping in a comfortable bed and others are in need of.
Did the landlord give her ample notice? He should have, which would have enabled her to make other living arrangements sooner. It is obvious she does not want to live on the street. I commend her for that.
She should have gone to the social service department and yes, also the Red Clinic. This is the reason they operate, to assist the unfortunate and homeless.
Now that it is brought to the attention of at least some Dominicans and no doubt the government, she should receive some financial help and free transportation from a kind person.
You in Dominica, especially the government authorities, please help this lady immediately. Her case is urgent. God’s blessing will abound for helping those who are need, as the poor. Here is a typical example and opportunity to help someone, in Jesus Name.
But renters have no right in the country man. The landlord should provide temporary housing for the lady till the repairs are done. This is a serious matter and it it shameful that anon2 make fun of a situation like this. Government is not always the answer, how about the general public coming together to assist this woman.
One Love Dominicans!!!
My heart goes out to her. Whenever I see her I always give her some money. But I’m curious. The last sentence indicates that we should contact her at The Sun Newspaper. Are you saying to me management at The Sun (I know it’s one individual) cannot assist the lady? I know that she sells papers for them. I understand the contact number in terms of donations but he should maybe assist with the ride aspect. Anyway just a thought who am I to say maybe he doesn’t have it like that since everyone goes for paperless media nowadays.
She should check local government for assistance with transportation of her belongings to Fond cole. Wish her the best.
Tommorrow I will give a 100, lady seems to be serious! Will you join me?
I know this woman since i was a little boy growing up in the Roseau Valley and she always was a friendly and helpful lady. I also knew she lived in Fond Canie and supposedly had two sons one who is the US and one who works on a popular radio station. Please boys help the QUEEN out in any which way you all can as she made you all into men. Love is Priceless
Where is government housing for people in situations like these
This is a matter for the government no one should be homeless in dominica.. The government needs to do something immediately. Find lodgins for this woman now….
I am wondering if there is a ministry for renting houses if DA. If what I read is true regarding the placed/house needing renovation, the house owner should have the lady 30 days notice to find herself a place to move in, I do not know the if she was up to date with her rental payment or not, however putting the lady out without having a place to move in this is not right, this is heartless, if I could I would surely help her, wondering how that houseowner sleeping at night knowing that you evict the lady and she is on the sidewalk with her few possession, one thing for sure no one knows what the future holds
It would only take a teeny weeny bit of the labour election expenditure to house her and others like her.
So sad.
Labour is not working
I think it’s the same lady but I remember sometime last year, if not her then another lady was in 7-11 trying to buy a piece of candle and some matches but was told she would have to buy a whole candle. I bought the lady a pack and a box of matches. You never know who will need when they will need. We all need to help out each other.
So much change is a must she shout tell them to help her
I truly think that the prime minister should step in right here and build her a two bedroom house PLEASE ! Thank You she voted!
All the Rich Dominicans who living in Dominica, America, London and Canada should help this poor woman.
Where is Social Services? Where is the Wallfare Department? Where is the $200 that the prime Minister promised the elderly? Where is the Red Clinic? Shame on the Government of Dominica for the poor condition of the elderly. I hope that she is allowed to sleeping he President White House.
Wish I was in dominica to make a contribution someone should not be living like this
Try the people at the new Grotto home or the Red Clinic.
Stop being sarcastic, this is a serious situation. Lets grow up for once.
Instead of telling the lady where to check. Assist. All u too heartless
Election over red clinic closed until 2018
*sigh*
Every topic, every situation: politics.
Don’t you ever get tired of it? Constantly attacking the government for every social issue on the island? You guys don’t know how things work. A lady declares that she is homeless because she doesn’t make any money (why?), and we immediately start blaming the government…
Find something better to do with your time.
This is one time I do and sincerely believe that humanitarianism should supersede the harshness of the continuously senseless political battles taking place in Dominica (to both political parties).
In my opinion, anonymous2 demonstrates a carelessness for human suffering and human life, that is so unforgiving and unfortunate that one would swear the this individual holds membership in Boco Haram. I hope this is not a sample of the reality in every part of the country!
People, it is time to move on and work together for the better of the country, no matter how you feel about the sitting Government. Please – Put Dominica First.
god is good he will answer your prayers. I do hope the government can give some help to her!
What about the community? If you stand on that road for a day i bet you’ll count more that 100 vehicles drive past. Sad.
How is it that that god did not take care of her before she got on the streets and while she is on the streets? Why are we so quick to put things on god?
We are the ones to help each other when in need and stop putting things on god whom you can’t even see.
We need to be more realist and stop thinking and believing of the unknown. Where is the evidence of what you believe in?