Giving because she can

Sacha Walters-Gregory, Staff Reporter

ALETHIA WHEATLE gives because she can. The teacher with over 20 years experience isn't wealthy, she simply saw humans in need and acted on it.

Wheatle, who teaches grade three at Mico Practising Primary and Junior High in Kingston, said her organised altruism started during the season of giving.

"I started thinking about the people who didn't have a choice, who didn't have anybody to cook for them, " she said.

Last December, she harnessed the help of her family and co-workers to prepare meals and gather toiletries for persons living on the streets of the Corporate Area.

"We went downtown, Cross Roads, Papine and Half-Way Tree, and we handed out food," she said.

While not an unusual act at Christmas for organised groups or companies, the recipients' reaction resonated with her.

"It was the first we were doing it so we were a bit apprehensive about how it would go. Would there be a big rush, are they going to be boisterous, but you know the funny thing, when we got downtown they were so orderly," she said.

But, it was the simple yet powerful request which held her even more accountable.

Forgotten

"They say when it comes on to the holiday a lot of people come around and give them things but after that they are forgotten," she said.

She returned in February and issued some additional necessities.

"This time, we collected some food, some clothes, tissue and toothpaste," she said. They returned a third time in April, this time to downtown and Cross Roads.

"We're working on it to go back again in June," she said, explaining that they currently target approximately 150 persons every two months.

"What I would love is if some of the supermarkets in the surrounding areas could contribute so we could cover a wider cross-section of persons," she said.

Wheatle, who is a mother of three, said when raising her children she could only give them one thing and that was a sound education, which has made them successful, one is a Rhode Scholar, now she wants to give to others.

"If I see a need, I just have to help," said Wheatle who also started a breakfast feeding programme for unfortunate students in her class. "My daughter says it's because I'm getting old," she added laughing. Her ultimate goal is to keep her promise and continue giving back.