DO It For The Kids is a non-profit organisation formed by a group of young people, who share a similar interest in giving back to underdeveloped communities. Their aim: to encourage youth development through sports and education.

The president and founder of the group La-Tanya Cowan states that her admiration for the foundations of both Yendi Phillipps and Shaggy, where they try to help and support children, somewhat inspired her to take a step in that direction.

“I have a strong love and passion for kids. It is kinda in my genes. My mom and grandmother are like mommies to all the kids, young people and even adults in their communities. They would rather to starve themselves and feed a child in need. They believe that they have lived their lives and are strong enough to bare the hunger, but a child can’t.”

“From a tender age, I have always wanted to get involved in charity work. I can remember one Christmas, the family decided to have Christmas dinner outdoors, and I saw some kids passing by eating Tigaz and bag juice. I said to myself, ‘Look at that, I’m here sitting down having this bellyful, there are persons out there who are in need of it’. I then proposed the idea to my mom that I wanted to start my own charity.”

Cowan said her mother encouraged her wait until she was a little older, so she could get co-workers, friends and other family members involved.

“But, being the determined person I am, I couldn’t wait that long. I started thinking, ‘what if the Lord was ready for me before then? Then I wouldn’t get to fulfil my dreams’. I decided to ask friends and family that I know share a similar interest to help me.”

High school friends Shauntae McLeod, Jerome Whyte, Jodi Lewis, Bianca Dixon, Shanae Cowan, Brittania Meredith, Daneil Findlay, and Rochelle Brown all formed ‘Do It For The Kids… Do It For Jamaica’ in August 2011 they began their work.

The initial idea of the group was to adopt a rural and an inner-city community. August Town and the community of Golden River in St Catherine (which was suggested by La-Tanya’s mother) were proposed. They, however, decided on Golden River, as there were a lot of kids and young people in that community, but they had no idea what to do there as yet.

Cowan said from observing the community, which had a lot of parents who were either unemployed or getting very low wages, re-starting their youth club and a breakfast and lunch programme at the school were some ideas they came up with.

The big issue was, how they were going finance their foundation.

“All of us are still in school. We thought of sponsors, but we weren’t registered and we didn’t want anyone to think we were scammers (which some thought we were).”

The enterprising teens, still not registered for the launch of these projects, went on TAG drives in their schools, communities, churches, and in Half-Way-Tree. They also saved from their lunch money and allowance. Brittania Meredith, PRO for the group, brought items from her vacation in the States, which eliminated some of the expenses for the group.

After obtaining approximately $50,000, they had their launch on September 28, 2013 in the Golden River community. And more plans are in the making for 2014.

— Moya Hinds