BELFIELD, St Mary — When Damion Wiltshire’s best friend Nicole Solomon died in 2023, he promised her he would take care of her child, his god-daughter Hadiyah Oliver. It’s a promise he has kept.

“Her mother Nicole and I were always friends. I was her tower of strength every step of the way. Since Hadiyah was born I have been in her life until now,” Wiltshire said with a proud smile.

“When her sickness became worse she asked me to be there for her daughter and take care of her, and that is what I have been doing,” he added.

Solomon was a grade three teacher at Belfield Primary, where Wiltshire is the chef. She died after a long battle with illness. Since then he has become the protector, caregiver, and father figure for Hadiyah — and a pillar of strength for her grandmother.

He has no biological children but 12-year-old Hadiyah has given him high marks.

“He’s a good person who takes care of me and my grandmother and he tries to be there for me all the time,” she told the Jamaica Observer.

She is preparing for high school in September and Wiltshire said she can count on his support for those years and beyond.

“I want to see her get big and go out there and make the most of life and be happy. I will always be there for her,” the humble chef said.