Mum, 6 children put out
Randica Johnson and four of her six children after they were evicted yesterday.
By Clifton Henry | Tue, August 31, 2010 - 12:00 AM
A seven-member St Michael family are now looking for somewhere to call home after being evicted yesterday from the house they have occupied for most of their lives at Medford Land, Dayrells Road.
Randica Johnson, 30, a Vincentian by birth, told the DAILY NATION that she and her six Barbadian-born children were put out on the streets by her mother, Alice Cumberbatch, along with their possessions.
When a NATION team visited the area, four of the young children were playing ball and having fun seemingly unaware of the gravity of the situation their mother was facing.
Johnson said that for years she and her mother, who lived mainly in New York, were not on the best terms, but she was still allowed to live in the house with her children.
“This [dilemma] all came about because she asked me to pay a phone bill and I did not. Instead, I took what little money I had and bought clothes and school supplies for my children to go back to school next week.”
She added: “This is my mother who brought me to this country when I was a little girl that did this to me and her grandchildren. Would you believe she even took back all the things she brought for the kids, even down to the shoes, toys, clothes. Right now I don’t have anywhere to sleep, me and my kids. We had to beg a friend to allow us to bathe and make sure the children had something to eat since I am not in position to cook for them.”
Johnson said she had contacted the Welfare Department but had not received any assistance.
“I don’t want the Child Care Board to take my kids and place them in any home. I need somewhere for me and them so I can be a mother to them. I do hairdressing but I just need some where for me and my kids to call home,” she said.
When contacted at her Tweedside Road, St Michael residence, Cumberbatch would only say: “I don’t want to hear anything from no NATION.”
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Father calm this storm , in the name of jesus ..y
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Comment LinkTO ALL YOU “BLEEDING HEARTS”:
It is time that you let young women know that they are obligated to taking care of their children, not the government, their parents, or anyone else.
Yes, many of our parents, years ago, had many children. But the blogger who made this statement needs to remember that OUR PARENTS DID WHATEVER THEY HAD TO DO TO PROVIDE FOR US. They did not go crying to the government or society.
The only mistake the mother made, in all this, WAS NOT TO EVICT HER WHEN THE SECOND ONE CAME.
Had she done that, this woman would not have had 6 kids, knowing fully well that she is jobless with no support from their dad(s).
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Comment LinkThe mother of these children does not seem responsible and I’m not dwelling on her age and the amount of children she has. Not everyone can own a home, but with 6 children she should have her house with them and no one would have to evict her. As previous persons queried where is the father(s) they should be there to play their part and take the child(ren)so they would not have to be on the streets and asking neighbours to give them a bath or food. A story always has 3 sides, 1 being the truth, who is to say the grandmother did not give her daughter the money to pay the bill and to buy school supplies and neither were done. I pray these children soon get a comfortable home away from the elements and its back to school time they definitely need to be comfortable.
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Comment LinkSad story but there has to be more to it than a phone bill - just let the phone get shut off - and the grandmom’s actions in taking the possessions she had bought for the children (if true) suggests that this is a long issue that came to an unfortunate result. Praying for the babies!
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Comment LinkThere are two sides to every story and her not paying the phone I bet with the money the mother sent was the straw that broke the camel’s back. The mother should let the grand children stay and let the mother fend for herself. Plus the nation repoter should have gotten a comment from the mother before printing this story, if the mother refused to be interviewed at least put this at the bottom of the article. At times these journalists need to be more professional.
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Comment LinkSince the mother lives mainly in NY, I’m sure she must have mentioned the 12 or more inches of snow she has become accustomed to getting to her two jobs. Ms. six children, not the smartest tool in the draw assumed, the mother knew a Mr.Snow. So she reasoned, I’m much younger than mom, if she can do it so can I. I don’t have a job but,my child’s father’s name is Mr. Ben Wood.
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Comment LinkYes, there are always two sides to a story, and then there’s the truth. Regardless of what happened between this woman and her mother, these six little ones should not have to suffer. Did they ask to be born? I think it’s petty and heartless of this grandmother to do this. Taking back gifts she gave them? I would suggest that her daughter get her tubes tied. She does not need another child. While we’re at apportioning blame, let’s be sure to find some blame for the absent father(s), because she didn’t get pregnant all alone.
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Comment LinkIt serves you right. Why should your mother now take on your burden after she laboured for you. you are 30, you are an adult, you are independent, stop depending on handouts. maybe you love sex that is why you have 6 children, i heard sex workers get paid well, thats an idea for a job.
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Comment LinkA story has two sides but my only concern is the children who are now suffering.
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Comment LinkHave any of you gone back and read the comments that you have made. The story is about someone needing help. Where the children father is and why she has so many children DOES NOT MATTER. In this moment she is trying to be the best mother that she can be and that is finding a place for her children to rest their heads at the end of the day. Shame on all of you that wrote negative comments. When you need a helping hand you can always count on a bajan to push you off the cliff.
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Comment LinkThose of you who judge this woman consider this….somebody found her with one….and got her pregnant with another. somebody found her with 5 and got her pregnant with another…..why is there only a passing mention of the father or fathers of these children? She did not ‘lie down and get them’ by herself. It is very easy to get pregnant when you did not plan to and you do not know what lies were told and what promises made to this young woman.
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Comment LinkHer mother lives mostly in NEW YORK after bringing her to Barbados from St. Vincent? I do not get the impression that there has been much love given to this young woman in her 30 years….perhaps this is why she has so many children.
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Comment LinkI am not sure I’d want to put out my child & grandchildren, but there is usually more than one side to a story & lots of grey in-between. The 4 kids pictured look like 9yrs to 6/8 mths. + 2 more kids, that is a lot for 1 person who IS working! add 2 adults, in this economy! Mom brought her here, but cant take care of her forever! She is 30!! What other obligations does Mom have? How much money had previously been lent? (I’ll pay you back). Nobody knows the real history. No-one just gets up one day & tells a daughter & 6 grandkids - “get out!” The kids look clean & well cared for; not unhappy when seen by reporter - SOMEBODY took care of & stabilized them. Daughter is saying what she wants for her kids & we ALL want the best for our kids - but MOST of the sacrifice has to be HERS; (she might have to give up talking on the phone). it makes NO sense that the Phone bill started it.
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Comment LinkThis story makes me sad. Sad to know that these innocent kids might have to suffer at the hands of the mother and grandmother.
The grandmother is the bigger person in whatever the squabble is between she and her daughter and under no circumstances should take back anything big or small that she gave to her grands.
We as readers may not know the full or the true story between the mother and daughter. Let’s hope someone comes to the rescue of these children before it is too late.
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Comment LinkThis story makes me sad. Sad to know that these innocent kids might have to suffer at the hands of the mother and grandmother.
The grandmother is the bigger person in whatever the squabble is between she and her daughter and under no circumstances should take back anything big or small that she gave to her grands.
We as readers may not know the full or the true story between the mother and daughter. Let’s hope someone comes to the rescue of these children before it is too late.
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Comment LinkPage 3 of 3 pages < 1 2 3