Trench Town hero helping to transform lives

Celebrated Trench Town resident Tremayne Brown says he is spending most of his time helping the less fortunate in his community, through home-based charity, Kino Life In Jamaica.

The charity is run by his cousin, Akino Page, and is focused on rebuilding the gritty St Andrew community one house at a time.

The 27-year-old Brown came to public attention in September 2017 when he jumped in a gully to rescue a little boy who was being washed away by raging flood waters. He told THE WEEKEND STAR that his involvement in Kino Life In Jamaica, also called the Dream Team, gives him great satisfaction.

"This charity project brings a smile to my face because right now we are bringing joy to our own community. To see the things we are doing to make people life better is awesome. We focus on the people who need help the most," Brown said.

Last summer, the charity, consisting of 21 dedicated members, came together to help provide housing for Donovan Coburn, a resident of Third Street in Trench Town. The wheelchair user was living in a deplorable condition and lacking the most basic of amenities, and the Dream Team decided to do something about it. They raised funds, built him a house, and the rest, as is often said, is history.

Brown, who uses his Toyota Probox motor car to transport the members from project to project, said getting support for Kino Life In Jamaica constantly occupies his thoughts. The charity currently gets donations from persons overseas.

NEEDS SUPPORT

"We would love to get some endorsements from our own. We have several projects planning that would benefit from governmental support. We are in the process of being registered, just some minor procedures to be done. Right now, the people dem love us," Brown said.

"They see that we are doing good with the monies we collect. Our programme is very transparent. We need a bus for the team so we can move around better. We only have one vehicle. Most of us are unemployed, but the charity gives us something to do in our spare time and people see what we are doing and gravitating towards it," he said.

One of the beneficiaries of Kino Life In Jamaica is Natesha Fearon.

"I was living in the board dwelling for over 10 years with my children," the 37-year-old told THE WEEKEND STAR. "We did everything inside and there was no windows. I saw his team passing one day and I asked him to help me with my roof because whenever it rains, the roof sweats. The first donation I got was a food, but now, because of their efforts, I have a bathroom, kitchen area and a verandah. I am so glad for their support," said the mother of three.