The love story of two market vendors’ dream of owning a home comes true

Carlton Francis, an amputee and hand cart pusher, first laid eyes on his true love Petrolin Blair, a spice vendor, some 20 years ago working in the Coronation Market, downtown Kingston. Some years later, Petrolin was challenged with finding a permanent home, and Carlton was determined to build her one.

Carlton lovingly built a one-room board house on family land. Over the years, as their love persevered, so did their ambition of one day owning land to build on. The two saved what they could from their meagre earnings for their dream home at the expense of their dwelling.

Pressure from the elements took its toll; they endured many downpours beneath the tarpaulin that lined the interior, with permanent pans collecting water as it seeped through the many holes of the aging zinc roof.

Finally, after years of enduring the deplorable sanitary conveniences of the shack, Carlton purchased a plot of land in the Lucky Valley District of St Catherine.

“I knew she was the woman for me when she took the time to care for my mom… . Mi buy the land fi the two a wi,” Carlton shared. 

However, building on the land became the next hurdle. There was no more savings and their immediate funds were diverted to purchase medication for Petrolin who suffers from hearing loss and is battling numerous illnesses including diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.

BOOM Energy Drink was moved by the couple’s love and determination to help themselves; so, they intervened. 

“After learning that this couple had saved up their earnings and acquired their land at the expense of their living conditions, we had to step in,” said Keteisha McHugh, brand manager for BOOM.

“Their living condition was so bad and their love was so strong that we had to help them realise their dream of owning a home right in time for Valentine’s Day.”

BOOM, in partnership with Food For The Poor, built a self-sufficient two-bedroom house for the couple, retrofitted with indoor sanitary conveniences, water harvesting system, septic tank and a solar panel.

McHugh, who handed the keys to the happy couple on February 9, had to console Petrolin who wept when she realised that their dream had finally come true. 

Marsha Burrell-Rose, marketing manager for Food For The Poor, said the work they do “is all about love for people and love for improving lives”.

She added: “This is truly an inspiring story which shows that love and determination can get you to achieve your goals. There are so many persons in need of a home but land is usually the challenge. We want to encourage persons to push the way that Carlton and Petrolin did and just trust and leave the rest to God.”

It’s a new beginning for the couple who are both 62 years of age.

“Mi affi thank God because mi did a wet up at the first one [house],” said Petrolin.

MISSION TO BUILD 10 HOMES IN 2022

McHugh, noting that Carlton’s wish for Petrolin this Valentine’s Day is long life and that she could hear him again, said: “This is something we could not fill, but a home that keeps them dry, safe and comfortable was right up our alley and that’s what we have done.”

BOOM sponsored 10 homes for vulnerable Jamaicans last year in partnership with the Food For The Poor Tan Ah Yuh Yard campaign. The brand is on a mission to build another 10 this year to help the plight of other needy Jamaicans.