Young child gives rise to feeding programme initiative
Marcia Walthrus (third from right) and Public Relations Officer of Cheerful Givers, Shakida Grant (far right), along with other members of the association, their family, friends and, of course, seven-year-old Tiyamike Kaswaswa, whose heart of compassion led to the birth of the feeding initiative.
By:
Patricia Thangaraj
The latter part of Isaiah 11:6 tells us about a little child leading the way and in Matthew 18:3 Jesus speaks about following the example of children in being humble. Seven-year-old Tiyamike Kaswaswa is a living representative of these scriptural verses.
Going home one day in March with her mother, Marcia Walthrus, Tiyamike said that she had a “strong thought” and, crying, she told her mother of the many homeless people that do have anything to eat and that she wanted to do something to help them.
Her mother heeded her daughter’s request and thus began their mother-and-daughter feeding the homeless initiative, which they did every other Saturday for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Word caught on and the homeless flocked to Queen’s Park to collect their warm meals.
From here the idea was birthed to make this event even bigger for Christmas by bringing more people on board and the not-for-profit organization, Cheerful Givers, was formed.
Speaking with words of wisdom beyond her years, Tiyamike told the Barbados Advocate that the idea came because she felt bad for those who did not have food to eat, especially since she always had something to eat.
When asked if she believes that the idea came to her as a result of God speaking to her, she replied “Yes” emphatically.
She said that as she went about giving food to the homeless, she felt good to be sharing with those that did not have much.
Meanwhile, Walthrus said that it was about being able to reach more homeless persons and she felt that Christmas would be the best time of the year to practice this brotherly love and thus she contacted some of her friends who were willing to come on board with this worthwhile initiative.
Public Relations Officer for the Cheerful Givers, Shakida Grant said that the contributions came from the members of their organization digging into their own pockets as well as sponsorship from corporate Barbados. These organizations included Purity Bakeries, Bajan Bakeries, Digicel, Brydens Stokes and Chef Michael Hinds from Terasu, among others.
She said that Marcia contacted her and they discussed how there would be many Barbadians who would be going through a tough time this holiday season and that as little as you have, there are always some persons who have even less.
She went on to state that sometimes it is only when you give to the less fortunate that you begin to appreciate what you have.
Walthrus said that “God is love” and thus giving should not be only done at Christmas but throughout the year.
Grant agreed, adding there is always room to give whether it is financially or of your time and with this in mind, the Cheerful Givers plan to repeat this inaugural event, not just during the Christmas season, but throughout the year going forward.
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