16-y-o Immaculate student feeds more than 100 homeless people

A charity spearheaded by 16-year-old Immaculate Conception High School student Sherinae Brown was able to feed about 100 homeless people in the Corporate Area on New Year's Day, despite challenges securing sponsors for this year's initiative.

Brown and her team provided meals to people in New Kingston, Constant Spring, Half-Way Tree, Heroes Circle and St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston.

“Despite the challenges, God will still find a way through for us. This year we were a bit behind on sponsors. It was the exact week that I realized I hadn’t really asked around from persons that I know,” Brown said

She told The Gleaner that her councillor Tasha Schwapp, school principal Stacy Wilson-Reynolds, parents and relatives made it possible for her fourth year of giving to the needy.

“Out of pocket funds, it wasn’t like a list of any major sponsors from any brand or company but with God, bigger and better things are yet to come,” Brown said.

The grade 11 student told The Gleaner that the street people she interacted with, although initially strangers, are now folks she has come to know.

“The persons on the street, at this point my mother knows them. When they saw us, they were so jovial with us, they know us now personally. It’s a normal thing for me now because I have gotten used to it,” Brown said.

She said the gesture of feeding and in some instances clothing the people is really heartwarming and a great experience.

“I feel like for me personally is just a call from God and automatically for seeing persons suffering and wanting to help. I have that need in my heart that by any means necessary, so I was really glad that I was able to come through once again and bless the heart of people,” Brown told The Gleaner, adding that the response and gratitude warms her heart.

She said it has taught her that even though she is small in stature, she can really make a big impact on the Jamaica and the world at large.

Brown also plans to visit a Children’s Home.

Brown, in 2023 was a recipient of the Children’s Advocate Recognition award.

She was among other awardees hailed as 'Extraordinary Children' from various disciplines who were honoured for impacting the lives of Jamaican children overtime.

Children’s Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison cited Brown for her feeding initiative.

- Andre Williams

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