MILE GULLY, Manchester — Over 200 children from Green Mount district near here and surrounding communities recently benefited from a Christmas treat organised by the Manchester-based Fresh Start Academy Group at the Inglewood Basic School.

Founder of the group, Sheryl Johnson, told the Jamaica Observer that as a child she lacked basic needs and so she decided to give back to her past school and children in her community.

“I remember in these times [Christmas] I couldn’t go out. My neighbours would just call out to me and I was just in the bush hiding, because I can’t go, because I didn’t have anything to wear,” she told the Sunday Observer on Wednesday.

“I just try to help the children of the community, if anybody reaches out for help, I do my best to assist,” she added.

Johnson, who is a farmer and vendor, said she started Fresh Start Academy Group earlier this year to bring together volunteers.

“The group started in the summer with four of us. I realised I needed help, because I cannot teach the children as I am not [trained], so I decided to include others. Now I have about seven people including teachers [in the group],” she said.

She added that she saw it fit to assist children in deep-rural Manchester.

“One day I was at home and two children I know came up to me and said, ‘Aunty Sheryl, we don’t have no clothes to wear go out and mommy nuh have nuh money’ and from there now I just started to help the children with dinner and if they don’t have any lunch money,” she said.

“I used to sell clothes at that time, so I sometimes took out some and dressed up the children. I started to cry to God, because I myself don’t really have it. The Holy Spirit spoke to me and said I am doing the right thing and that I must continue,” she added.

Johnson said her group last Monday feted hundreds of children at the Christmas Treat.

“I bought about 150 plates and I had to send for 100 more and that finished too. I had 100 bags that someone donated and all of it was distributed. We had bounceabout, swing ride, popcorn, juice, ice cream, cake among other food,” she said.