By Cecelia Campbell Livingston
Ten-year-old Jazmin Headley has officially opened the ‘Jazmin ‘Jazzy’ Headley Corner’ at the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon.
Headley, who has been actively involved in philanthropic work in Jamaica, said she was inspired by her mother, Debbie Headley, who shared with her that she wished growing up she had someone like her to look out for them. The words were enough to motivate her to begin her outreach in the country of her parents birth.
Speaking with the media, Jazmin said it is her ultimate goal to become a judge so she can defend the rights of children. Sharing her passion, she said it was her father’s goal to be a judge, but he ended up in basketball. An aunt wanted to do the same, but for some reason it never materialised.
She is hoping to change all that by living the dreams of her father and aunt.
Jazmin and her uncle Rohan Myers
Commenting on her donation, Jazmine said it made her feel good to do it.
“I chose to donate books and computer toys on behalf of the Jazmine Foundation and the Bounty Foundation, and it makes me feel warm and fuzzy,” she stated, pointing out that she even hopes to make a few friends that she can visit on her return to Jamaica.
A beaming mother, Debbie, who expressed pride in her daughter’s desire to give back, said it was only natural as she grew up seeing her doing the same thing.
“The giving doesn’t stop, as we will be replicating this (Jazmine Corner) at other hospitals across Jamaica,” she shared, adding that Black River Hospital, located in the parish of her birth, St. Elizabeth, will be her next focus.
Senior Medical Doctor at the hospital, Dr. Bradley Edwards, said it was a good day for them at the hospital, while expressing his appreciation for the gesture and stating how much it will mean to the children.
“What makes this special to me is that it is a children’s hospital and it is from a child, and she is just a regular, fun-loving child who loves Jamaica, and that’s what makes it really special to me,” he noted.
Dr. Edwards also explained that there are sick children on the ward as well as ‘social kids’ who can’t go home. Now they will have the ability to learn, as the gift also included some educational books.
“Reading in itself is just amazing in terms of personal development, and it will give the children the chance to be better off in a hospital than even at home because some people have no books at home. Once here, they are able to read, they are able to develop their cognitive skills with the toys, and it’s just a good thing for us,” he stressed.
The corner comprises a computer, reading books, and toys. Each patient also received gift packages from the youngster, who took the goodwill beyond the doors of the children’s ward to adults and children who were in the emergency area of the hospital.