Andrew Wildes, Gleaner WriterCHILDREN'S LOVE Charity is an exemplary exhibition of an appreciation of individual social responsibility translating into tangible life-changing reality.
For Tricia Swainson, founder of the organisation, what started as a community birthday party for her daughter nine years ago, evolved into a grand festivity bringing treats at Christmas to several children in rural Jamaica.
Over 230 children were treated on separate occasions on the 19th and the 23rd of December by the organisation at the Nazarine Antioch Church in Cowick Park, Manchester, and Hunts Pen Basic School in Clarendon, respectively. At each treat, the group distributed a hundred bags containing reading books, erasers, sharpeners, pencils, paddle balls and candy.
BIRTHDAY PARTY
"It started as a birthday party for my daughter," explained Ms. Swainson. "It was held for four years as a birthday party but it gradually evolved into me giving back," she explained. Children's Love Charity hosted its first official treat in 2000, and has now completed another successful round in giving back to the Jamaican community. The organisation comprises Ms. Swainson and her friends, who are foreign nationals, but the group is now seeking to enlist the support of others.
Ms. Swainson, who is originally from Kingston, but lived at several places across the country before migrating to the United States, said she was concerned for the children she called 'peepers'. These children, she explained, are the ones who are always standing at the doors of church treats and other functions 'peeping' in. She explained that the 'peepers' are the ones who have no clothes, and it is her desire to uplift their spirits if even once a year.
"Whatever treats we can find to make them feel better for one day," affirmed Ms. Debbie 'Peaches' Morgan, who is also involved with the organisation.
"Nobody does anything for anybody anymore, everybody wants money for everything ... people should help people more," said Ms. Swainson.
BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY
She was keen to thank Ray Paul of Air Jamaica, who, she explained, went above and beyond the call of duty in transporting their recording equipment from Florida, and her children in New York who donated all the toys for the charity. Ms. Swainson explained that her nephew, Justin, donated over two garbage bags full of toys.
In the future, Children's Love Charity is hoping to hold its treats annually, and is desirous in making it travel across the island and up into rural Jamaica. The group also plans to adopt the Hunts Pen Basic School, by becoming the responsible donor for stationery supplies, notebooks for children, toys for the school and other necessities.
