13-y-o brightens children’s home, treats homeless for second year
Published:Thursday | December 30, 2021 | 12:09 AMAndre Williams/Staff Reporter
Thirteen-year-old Sherinaé Brown took to the streets of the Corporate Area during the holidays to feed and clothe the homeless and most vulnerable in the society so they would not feel left out.
The grade eight student at Immaculate Conception High School expressed gratitude that her two-years-running gesture was well received, pleased that she was able to assist more people this year.
Brown said that she had also wanted to feed people in downtown Kingston, but was told she needed permission to carry out the feat.
With the help of her pastor and family, the teen was able to purchase food and supplies to feed more than 50 people on Christmas Sunday.
“We cooked the food and just went out with my friends, and we started giving out to people … . In all, it was 56 persons, but that was only for feeding the homeless. Afterwards, I went to [a children’s home] and I gave them some stuff also,” Brown said.
A firm believer in Jesus Christ, Brown said that it is her passion to give back to people.
“As a Christian, as a child of God, I am just led to helping the needy and helping people in general. I try do whatever I can. I try to give to people, knowing that I am a person that has so much provision that the Lord has blessed me with,” Brown said, adding that she is able to balance school and her time with God as she sets her sights on becoming a surgeon and a pastor.
The honour roll student said that this is simply the way God would want her to live.
“When we met the homeless people, most of them were smiling. They were telling us ‘Thank you’ and ‘God bless you’. I met a woman and a homeless man, and they said they were just wondering when they saw us come out the car with the food because they didn’t see anybody come out to feed the homeless,” Brown said.
Brown is very spirited and hopes to continue her homeless feeding programme for years to come under the ‘Gratitude in Giving’ banner.
The homeless were fed with rice and peas and chicken (stewed and baked), vegetables, Christmas cake, juice, and water.
Brown said that even though COVID-19 made 2021 a challenging year, her aim was to help people to remember that it was indeed Christmas time.
“Something that really struck me this Christmas, people weren’t really focusing on the essential topic of Christmas, remembering God and remembering His grace and mercy, everything He provided us with, so I wanted to ensure that I remember everything that God has provided us with throughout this year and just try to give back to the less fortunate,” she told The Gleaner.