Mandeville man graciously gives back

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

MANDEVILLE, Manchester:MARTIN GREAVES has developed the habit of giving to the less fortunate, something he got from his mother, Merril, who continually gives to the needy in Jamaica.

Greaves, who is based overseas, has made the habit a big part of his life and has been making a difference in the lives of people across Manchester.

He is originally from the community of Georges Valley in Mandeville, and while growing up, he had a comfortable lifestyle.

As a youngster, he went to one of the best private schools in Mandeville, Belair Preparatory School, where he rubbed shoulders with the children of the elites of the town.

After frequently getting into trouble at Belair, his father decided to move him to a public school. "My father decided that he wasn't going to waste any more money on me, so he sent me to Villa Road All-Age," Greaves told Rural Xpress.

At Villa Road, he entered a new world as he interacted with children from very poor backgrounds compared to his more fortunate friends at Belair.

"Until I left Belair School, that is what changed my whole outlook on life," Greaves said. "When I went there, it was a whole culture shock. Belair had hot dogs, fries, and soda. When I went to Villa Road, you had handcart man selling sky juice and bun and cheese. We got bulgur rice at the canteen."

He added: "I saw kids barefoot, in dirty clothes, everybody making noise. It was a whole different transformation. Then I realised that you have two different Jamaicas: you have the haves and the have-nots."

Donations

Greaves went on to the Holmwood Technical High School and then migrated. "I used to work with a medical company in New York, so I used to get wheelchairs and send them down. My mother distributed them," Greaves said.

For the last two years, Greaves started getting more things - books, toys, food, clothes and other items - to give to needy people in Manchester. "I started asking my friends for things to send home for people," Greaves said.

"Last year, I collected enough items to give four schools: Villa Road Primary, Mandeville Primary and Junior High School, Christiana Leased Primary, and Grey Meadow Basic School. It was basically school supplies."

This year, Greaves decided to change things a bit and give items to needy families in Manchester as well as to some children and adult homes.

"I recently gave things to five needy families in the community of Allison, things such as food items, clothes, books, and toys for the kids," he disclosed.

"Through recording artiste Rae Tae, who is from Porus, I donated items to eight families there,"he said,

Greaves also made contributions to the Mandeville Fire Department. "I will be also making a donation to the (St John) Bosco Boys' Home and Kiddies Place. I am really looking forward to that."

Speaking on the joy he gets from giving, Greaves said: "I just feel that no matter how little you have, there are others out there in a worse position than you. We have to share. We have to be our brother's keeper.

rural@gleanerjm.com