Author and life coach Shareka Swaby has been yielding positive results from the ‘I Am Initiative Mentorship Programme’ offered to students based on tips available in her book An Introduction To Freedom.

The 38-year-old has so far been mentoring 12 students at the Clan Carthy Primary School in Kingston, and will soon go on to adopt a batch from the Mona High School.

“Last year, it was very, very effective. When you talk to them one-on-one, you see the progress…my intention is to continue with the same kids next year,” she said.

Added Swaby: “Jamaica is a place where a lot of people have a lot of pent up trauma, and some of us don’t even know that we have these issues. My book focuses on letting that stuff go. I think for the Jamaican audience, especially, it’s good for the general public because of how widespread our situation is here.”

The book is currently available at Sangster’s Book Stores and C-Mart. It may also be purchased on Amazon.

According to the author, general readers have also grasped positive concepts from the book.

“The feedback has been great. Sometimes, it surprises me. People generally connect with the content and find it relevant and helpful,” said the St Thomas native who is now based in Kingston.

Swaby is a past student of the Happy Grove High School in Portland. She will be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology this coming school year at the University of the West Indies, Mona.

A second book is already in the pipeline. Like her first, this one will be geared towards cultivating positivity.

“It will be about self-love… learning to love yourself and how that ripples through you to other people,” she said.

The second body of work is expected to be completed later this year.