While Barbadians sought shelter last week during the passage of Tropical Storm Kirk, Joseph Watts was exposed to the elements. The 75-year-old, of Mellows Hill, St Joseph, found refuge under a torn tarpaulin which he calls home, at the side of the road.
During the storm, neighbours said he was drenched and shivering on Friday morning, and had to spend the next two days “drying out”.
On Tuesday, Watts, a former mason, was propped up on some dirty sponges in his makeshift home in the sweltering afternoon sun, his only protection being the same tarpaulin. The pensioner was surrounded by buckets of water, dirty clothes and empty styrofoam containers.
When asked how he managed with the bad weather, Watts told THE NATION: “I have the tarpaulin. I got wet a bit, but I’m all right. The gentleman said he would come back to help me. I would like to get something soon. I go out and I buy food when I’m hungry.” (DB)
The makeshift home where Joseph Watts lives in Mellows Hill, St Joseph. In the background is his collapsed home almost covered by bush. (Picture by Lennox Devonish.)
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