Sheena Gayle, Freelance Writer

Lola Foster (left), a beneficiary of the Green Pastures Home Foundation, poses with Pastor Daphney King and young philanthropists 10-year-old Isaiah Eley (front left) and his seven-year-old brother, Elijah. - Photo by Sheena Gayle

WESTERN BUREAU:

While school is out and summer provides the opportune time for children to have fun, two youngsters have chosen instead to spend their holiday raising funds to assist those in need.

Isaiah and Elijah Eley, aged 10 and seven years old, respectively, of Samuel Prospect in Trelawny, are no strangers to philanthropy, as they were always taught to help the less fortunate. This, according to their grandmother and pastor for Green Pastures Ministry, Daphney King.

King described the two as "stalwarts in their own right", noting that "their willingness to give is amazing".

The Eley brothers came up with the idea to start a foundation in 2004, known as Green Pastures Home, in response to a need to assist persons living in extreme poverty within their community. They were seven and four years old at the time.

"A lady and 26 members of her family were living in a one-bedroom structure and, when the boys heard of this, they gave her $2,000 hoping that could buy a house," recalled their grandmother.

Dream realised

She said the boys soon realised the money was not enough and began saving remittances they received from their parents overseas. With the help of their grandmother, the brothers were able raise more than $100,000, which was used to construct a two-bedroom wooden structure.

Young Elijah said his reason for this cause is to "help and improve the lives of others who can't afford to do so".

His older brother expressed similar sentiments, stating: "It is our hope that we can help more persons."

Both Isaiah and Elijah attend First Hill All-Age in Jackson Town, Trelawny.

Taught from early

In addition to their fund-raising efforts, the Eley brothers save a portion of their lunch money and allowance from overseas to purchase food items, which are distributed to needy persons.

While the availability of funds to carry out missionary work is a main challenge for the boys and their grandmother, they are willing to use the little resources they have to accomplish as much as is possible.

King, who believes in leading by example, said she nurtured the habit of giving and helping others in the lives of the boys since they were toddlers.

"When I first began ministering as a pastor five years ago, I would go out to feed and help others and I would bring the boys. I remembered telling them that this was what they need to do when they grow older."