‘It brings me such joy’
Overseas-based Hannah Town native pleased to be able to give back to youngsters in community
Published:Sunday | July 24, 2022 | 12:05 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
The Reverend Joan Williamson recalls sitting on a wall near the Victoria Jubilee Hospital while growing up in downtown Kingston, daydreaming that someone passing by would notice her impoverished reality and need for help.
“There were days which I just dreamt that someone would just offer me a book bag, a book, just offer me a pencil so that I could go to learn,” she said.
Despite the fact that those hopes were never realised, she has now been able to grant the wishes of children and provide the funding and resources necessary to support their academic success through the ministry she founded with her husband, Reverend Derrick Williamson.
Along with 15 other members of the Living Well Community Care team from the Boynton Beach branch of the Pentecostal City Mission Church in Florida, she returned to her old neighbourhood of Hannah Town on Thursday.
The team presented children of the Joseph Royal Educational Centre with toiletries and school supplies, such as bags, stationery and tablets.
The school was also given a US$1,000 donation to go towards the development of the students.
The Pentecostal City Mission Church founded the school in 2008 with the initial objective of offering literacy classes to adult members of the congregation.
Principal John Mitchell was at a loss for words on Thursday, noting that the school has been making a positive impact in the community and have had successful pass rates with children transitioning to some of the island’s top traditional high schools.
“Today I am feeling proud,” he said, adding that the visit came just in time for students making the transition to high school.
Williamson said her mission was to ensure that no child was left behind.
“It brings me such joy and satisfaction ... and just a bit of mixed feeling to know where the Lord has taken me from and how He has blessed me so that I am able to give back,” she said.
The outreach organisation, which have been changing lives since 2017, also supports the elderly and destitute in Florida and is considering expanding its reach to Brazil.
“But Jamaica is our heart,” Williamson said.
Derrick, her husband, who was also born into poverty and never had the opportunity to further his education, expressed delight at being able to make the donation and expressed a desire to make a difference, especially in the lives of the young males in Hannah Town.
“My heart is full of joy,” he said, adding that he loves to return home and to contribute to Jamaica.