While Ann Marie Thomas was caring for her clients in her role as Deputy Inspector of Poor Relief for Clarendon and Shelter Manager, her own home was being ravaged by Hurricane Melissa.
She lost 80 per cent of her roof, leaving her furniture and bed soaked. When Freedom Come Rain visited last Saturday, pieces of her clothing were still spread on a tarpaulin to dry.
A Christian of many years, Thomas shared that her children are currently staying with her sister, while she is “roughing it” at the house.
Sheets of zinc have been temporarily tacked on, with the hope that she’ll soon receive the resources needed to secure them properly.
Thomas, who has been stationed at the shelter since Saturday, November 1, was attending to her homeless clients on Tuesday when Hurricane Melissa made landfall. That day, she received a call from a neighbour informing her that her roof was gone.
“There was nothing I could have done because I was still at the shelter,” she told Freedom Come Rain. “But it’s an experience for me, in that I was actually dealing with my clients.”
She recounted how some neighbours made jokes and laughed at her situation.
“They’re laughing and saying that I’m out there dealing with persons, and my roof is gone,” she shared.
Despite the personal loss, Thomas said her passion for her clients wouldn’t allow her to abandon them. She remained at the shelter and returned home the following day—Wednesday, November 1.
The damage was so severe that her children had to relocate to her sister’s home. “There’s no bed to sleep on, the clothing is all messed up, and everything is badly damaged,” she explained.
“I’m not sure what’s going to happen later on, but I just trust God and hope that things will work out,” Thomas said, adding that her faith in God’s provision remains unchanged.
Though the situation has brought significant challenges, Thomas emphasised that her faith is unshaken. She is confident that God will help her repair the roof and restore what was lost in the hurricane.
“The faith that I have—you know, I know that I will rise and shine again. And I know that with the help of God and persons who I know will come on board, I will be okay.”
Despite the loss, Thomas finds much to be thankful for, especially the fact that no lives were lost in her community. For others facing similar or even worse circumstances, she offered one reassuring piece of advice:
“Don’t be depressed, you know. Just hope and pray, because once life is not lost, you can always build again.”