Yvette Sterling and family. - Sheldon Williams photos

Time is running out for a family of 13 who were given eviction notice to vacate a property by July 31, where they have been staying since their home was gutted by fire a second time.

The family has been living in an impoverished state at a residence in Vineyard Town, where they were allowed to occupy the side of a house by a good Samaritan who empathised with their plight.

However, they can no longer be accommodated and are in desperate need to find a house to avoid living on the streets.

The family consists of nine children and four adults. The children are between ages eight months to 17 years. Interestingly, two of the children, ages six and seven, are not enrolled in school because of a lack of funds.

They are victims of two separate fires that engulfed their home on Gem Road in the Kingston 11 area in 2011 and another home on Guava Road, Olympic Way, in October of last year.

" Yeah man, it rough pon we. Sometimes, all next door we go, go beg rice," Yvette Sterling, the head of the household, told THE STAR.

"I didn't save anything from the last two fires. You wah see what we a sleep on, mi no shame fi show you," Sterling said as she invited the news teamin the house.

Inside, the news team was shown several beds that had worn mattresses so much so that deep holes wereseen inside some of them.

Sterling also admitted that they borrowed one of the beds.

The news team was then taken to the kitchen which was a tiny room to the back of the house.

There, it was observed that the fridge was covered in rust and was obviously out of service. Sterling also showed us a coal stove that is used to prepare their meals whenever they are lucky enough to eat.

Sterling, however, admitted that she is not looking for handouts but is looking for a steady way to make an income.

She also added that she has no support system as "a 13 years now mi no have a gentleman."

She explained that she is a skilled dressmaker and is seeking a large quantity of material and other resources to make clothing for sale.

"I don't necessarily need the cash, I need the material," Sterling admitted.

Anyone who is able to assist Sterling and her family is being asked to contact 474-2703 or 287-6297.

One of the beds the family sleeps on.