Family waits for Gov’t WE CARE money

A family from the Mount Airy community in West Rural St Andrew said they are highly anticipating the release of funds from the WE CARE programme grant, as this will aid them to get some basic needs for survival.

When THE STAR visited the community last Monday, Mario Foster, 36, and his common-law wife Shantell Afflick were seen signing up for the grant.

They both explained that since the COVID-19 clampdown, they have been without a source of income, plus they have children to provide for.

"I have two daughters, 10 and seven, so when I get the money, I have to go buy like some food stuff. From them stop going to school they eat breakfast, lunch and dinner, so you have to find three different meals when they are here," said Foster.

"Me also wanna get some tings, hygiene-wise, and just put away a little like if anybody get sick me can run carry dem go doctor."

Feed my children

"Well I will just basically use the money to feed my children because they are home now from school and I'm not working," Afflick added.

The COVID-19 Allocation of Resources for Employees (CARE) programme is a temporary cash transfer initiative introduced to ease the economic strain resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic by helping individuals and small businesses.

The programme's compassionate grant, WE CARE, valued at $10,000, is open to the unemployed, informally employed, students over 18, and the elderly.

Since applications were opened on April 9, more than 300,00 Jamaicans have applied to the programme.

Afflick, who is a laid-off bartender, applied for the COVID-19 general grant under the bar and nightclub operators section, and said she believes it is a good initiative taken to assist those in need.

"I think it's very good what the Government is doing, enuh, because a lot of people really need it," she said. "I'm really happy too because trust me it is gonna help me out a lot."

Likewise, Foster applauds the government's efforts to help during this time of crisis.

"I feel good, enuh, and I'm giving many thanks to the Government, because this money we need it. Trust me, I can use it and help out fi do nuff tings," he said.