Woman wants home for mentally ill brother

In 1986, when Malkes Pennant travelled from his hometown in Clarendon to seek employment in St Catherine, he had dreams of earning enough money to build his own house.

However, when he returned home some months later, his sister, Inez, said her brother was not the same.

"He come back mad, really mad. Him left ya good go a one part name Dunbeholden (in St Catherine), and come back after him boss dead. Mi nuh know what happen, but him nuh come back to himself," she said.

When THE WEEKEND STAR team visited a ragged-looking Pennant at his beaten-down house in Coxwain, Clarendon, he stared curiously from a makeshift bed. His deplorable home, which was made of old pieces of zinc, is located under a wasp-infested tree, and he is often the victim of their vicious stings.

Inez, his sole caregiver, said that he is in desperate need of assistance, and she would appreciate any help to build a one-room dwelling for her brother.

"It really rough; a me alone with him 'cause both a we parents dead. A seven kids me have, and more time a little farming me do. Nuff time me don't know where the next meal a come from. When rain fall, it rough pon him, and when sun shine too hard, it rough too," she said.

She said that Pennant is often calm and does not pose a threat to others because he is usually sedated.

"Him quiet enuh, because most times him get medication. But it really rough on me alone. Me nice bredda just get mad, and up to now we don't know is what cause it. Me would really like to see him come back normal, but for now me just want him get a good roof over him head," she said.

Persons wishing to assist Pennant can contact Inez at 876-425-4610.