HER place of business is a small bar located along the roadway in Old Folly, Discovery Bay, St Ann, but the size of the business is by no means an indication of the kindness of Kerisha Simpson who has been giving back to her community, especially the children.

Simpson believes strongly in assisting those in need although she is not operating a large or even a medium-sized business. Simpson, who has been living in the community for the past 18 years, has been operating her bar for approximately 11 years.

She said that the community is always supporting her business and that was what motivated her to give back.

“Mi say, dem always support me so I am going to keep a treat for them. Anything I have they support me, so I decide I will give back,” she said. This has continued for five years now. Approximately 90 children benefited from Simpson’s most recent treat.

“I am getting from them, so I can give back to them,” Simpson insisted.

For the first two years she said she did it all alone, however, over the last three years she has been able to do much more through donations from sponsors, including from other businesses and political representatives.

She also now hosts another treat in the town where she grew up — Middle Buxton, Brown’s Town. Simpson said the treat started there after people saw photos of the one she held in Old Folly.

“One lady saw it and say I am from Buxton and never keep any there,” she said. Since then, she has returned to host two treats. Approximately 70 children benefited from the last treat held in that community.

Simpson, who is also a trained practical nurse, offers her services to residents in both communities.

“I have gone to check on the pressure of the elderly who stay home,” she said.

Simpson has also made it her duty to assist whenever there are accidents in the area.

“I helped to rescue a baby about eight years ago when a car went into the sea,” Simpson recalled. Today that child is her god-daughter.

She is popularly referred to as ‘Muma’ in the community because of her compassion towards residents.

“It feels good. I never regret anything I do…I do it from my heart. Mi love help; maybe this is just a gift from God fi help people,” said Simpson.

“As long as mi can do it, as long as God spare mi life, I will continue,” the mother of three said.

Simpson, as a way of giving back to her community, also hosts Beer Thursdays at her bar where beers and rum are sold at a reduced cost.