TAMIAN Beckford and Tanisha Esman, former wards of the state, are on a Mission to Motivate — a drive to inspire others by relating their own journeys of trials and triumphs in the hope that their stories will help children to pursue purpose.

An initiative of the Child Development Agency’s (CDA) 10th anniversary celebration, Mission to Motivate aims to encourage all children, specifically those in state care and parents, to aspire for greatness and rise above their current situations despite the cards life has handed them.

The team hopes the initiative will be received as a catalyst to building resilience and most especially, breaking the cycle of negative behaviours that can have lasting consequences. Through various gripping presentations which began in May, the duo has spoken to at-risk teenagers at the Re-Birth Project, parents at the National Parenting Support Commission’s public forum, and reaching larger audiences via television.

Beckford and Esman, also co-patrons of CDA’s anniversary celebrations, both grew up at the Jamaica National Children’s Home. Today Esman, who does not know her parents, is an MBA graduate while Beckford is an entrepreneur with his own company and a recipient of national awards. Relating their journeys with wit, humour and deep emotion, the two have already touched many lives, receiving great reviews and commendations with each presentation.

“Tanisha and Tamian are the perfect example of what real heroes are made of. And so we have asked them to lead the charge on this initiative having dubbed it Mission to Motivate. They have defied grave odds and flourished,” said Rosalee Gage-Grey, CDA CEO.

“Through their drive we want people to recognise the work CDA does in assisting our nation’s children in need of care and protection to become productive citizens and reintegrate families.”

Tamian Beckford.

Tanisha Esman.