Former British Rail Worker’s Good Deed Feeding some of Jamaica’s Homeless
Former Birmingham British Rail Worker 78 year old Clifton Taylor formerly of Edgbaston along with his wife Jean 74, has spent the past 16 years religiously providing a cooked meal every Thursday morning for some of Jamaica’s homeless people in Spanish town St. Catherine.
Mr Taylor, arrived in the UK in 1960 and returned to Jamaica in 1996 following his retirement.
He said “whilst walking in the streets of Spanish town where I live, I saw homeless and hungry people and felt that I should do something about this”
Following a conversation with his wife, Clifton who is also a Church Deacon embarked upon a mission which has now become a way of his normal day to day life.
Every Thursday at 5.00am, Mr Taylor commences preparing up to 100 meals in his kitchen at home in addition to preparing 100 bottles of cold drinks and by 9.00am he leaves his home at feed those in needs.
“ I started driving around distributing the meals from the back of my pick-up truck, however, people were running across the roads at times which are very busy and were in danger of being hurt, so we sought an alternative way to distribute the meals.” Mr Taylor explained.
Cliff and Jean a retired Psychiatric Nurse now distribute their weekly Thursday morning hot meals at the Old Infirmary in Spanish Town at the “Food for the Poor Project”, which I visited with them.
They were greeted by a waiting crowd who were looking forward to their hot- meal, which is served after a very short song and bible reading.
On this occasion I was told they were very orderly in queuing up and collecting their meal, being told it may have been because of my presence, however, one could see the delight on their faces when they were able to not only collect their meal which many immediately ate.
When asked how is this funded Mr Taylor responded “Every Thursday I provide a meal of Rice and Chicken with drinks and the cost is met by my wife and I. As far I am concerned I am giving back to my community.”
His wife Jean said” It is our Christian duty to help out and it is now a traditional way to spend our Thursday mornings”
I must confess that I found this very moving as I observed people of all ages waiting for their meal and for them it is a guaranteed hot meal at least once per week.
This is truly a great example of giving something back, with no issues of funding as this former Birmingham couple are giving back to their community in the true spirit of Christmas which as far as they are concerned is very Thursday.
Desmond JADDOO
14th December 2015
Former Birmingham British Rail Worker 78 year old Clifton Taylor formerly of Edgbaston along with his wife Jean 74, has spent the past 16 years religiously providing a cooked meal every Thursday morning for some of Jamaica’s homeless people in Spanish town St. Catherine.
Mr Taylor, arrived in the UK in 1960 and returned to Jamaica in 1996 following his retirement.
He said “whilst walking in the streets of Spanish town where I live, I saw homeless and hungry people and felt that I should do something about this”
Following a conversation with his wife, Clifton who is also a Church Deacon embarked upon a mission which has now become a way of his normal day to day life.
Every Thursday at 5.00am, Mr Taylor commences preparing up to 100 meals in his kitchen at home in addition to preparing 100 bottles of cold drinks and by 9.00am he leaves his home at feed those in needs.
“ I started driving around distributing the meals from the back of my pick-up truck, however, people were running across the roads at times which are very busy and were in danger of being hurt, so we sought an alternative way to distribute the meals.” Mr Taylor explained.
Cliff and Jean a retired Psychiatric Nurse now distribute their weekly Thursday morning hot meals at the Old Infirmary in Spanish Town at the “Food for the Poor Project”, which I visited with them.
They were greeted by a waiting crowd who were looking forward to their hot- meal, which is served after a very short song and bible reading.
On this occasion I was told they were very orderly in queuing up and collecting their meal, being told it may have been because of my presence, however, one could see the delight on their faces when they were able to not only collect their meal which many immediately ate.
When asked how is this funded Mr Taylor responded “Every Thursday I provide a meal of Rice and Chicken with drinks and the cost is met by my wife and I. As far I am concerned I am giving back to my community.”
His wife Jean said” It is our Christian duty to help out and it is now a traditional way to spend our Thursday mornings”
I must confess that I found this very moving as I observed people of all ages waiting for their meal and for them it is a guaranteed hot meal at least once per week.
This is truly a great example of giving something back, with no issues of funding as this former Birmingham couple are giving back to their community in the true spirit of Christmas which as far as they are concerned is very Thursday.
Desmond JADDOO
14th December 2015
