Two weeks ago Shanera Garvey watched as her Arundel Street home, and everything she owned in the world, was reduced to ash by a fire that three of her six children barely escaped with their lives.Now jobless, Garvey, 31, and her children face the prospect of once again becoming homeless when social assistance for rent runs out tomorrow.

Garvey told The Nassau Guardian that she was at work when the fire started. Three of the children were at school, she said, but her 13-year-old daughter Tyiesha and her one-year-old twins were home when the blaze began next door shortly after 1 p.m. on March 13.

When she returned to the apartment complex off East Street, she said she met the entire complex engulfed in flames.

However, the cause of the fire is still unclear. But she admits, that had it not been for Tyiesha, her twins might not have made it out alive.

The Department of Social Services helped the family rent a room at the Colony Club Inn&Suites on West Bay Street, but Garvey said she will be left homeless when her extended stay comes to an end in a matter of days.

Garvey, who is the sole provider for her children-the other three are ages 11, eight and four-also lost her job earlier this month.

Through tears, she spoke about her struggle since the fire.

"It's been a disaster because [my] children and I have nowhere to go after Thursday," said Garvey, while cradling one of her twins.

"We went to Social Services and they put us in a hotel for a week and I appreciate it, but it wasn't enough.

"I had to go to the prime minister's office for them just to extend the week."

Garvey also said her children have not been able to return to school because their uniforms and identification were destroyed in the fire.

"The only option I now have is to try to hustle to get it back," she said.

"I can't do anything else-I am a mother. [At one point] I went to Social Services and they told me that one of the options I had was to put my children in a children's home. But how could a real mother[do this]? I can't put my babies that I raised in a children's home."

She added that numerous attempts to find employment have been unsuccessful.

"You have to get documents and pay for them, and to leave them and get no response is money wasted again that could have gone toward my children for them to eat," she said. "As a single mother I have to look after my children and it's so hard without a job.

"I have to feed my children but I don't have a stove, a fridge or a microwave-there's nothing in here."

The single mother said she wants to give her children the kind of life they deserve, but she realizes she needs help.

"It's really hard for me now," she said.

"It's hard for everyone and it doesn't matter if it's a dollar or if it's 50 cents. Whatever it is, I would appreciate it.[If]it's clothes it's a help and like the Bible says have not, if ask not."

Anyone wanting to further assist Garvey and her family may reach themat 535-5431.

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