Homeless man gets baptised, starts business

Dane Brown, the young man who was featured in THE STAR earlier this month in an article titled 'Sick and homeless but willing to work', has since given his life to the Lord, and has started a small fruit-vending business following an outpouring of support.

"The day after the article, Sister Debbie-Ann Johnson meet me and take me to church same time. She and the pastor pray fi me. I actually got baptised two weeks ago. Me feel good in myself, and I feel the Holy Ghost," Brown said with a pep in his voice.

Johnson also offered the 26-year-old man, who suffers form kidney failure, a room to live in at her home in Cross Roads, St Andrew.

"I have a 26-year-old son, and as a mother, I had to help. I picked up the paper and read it the Tuesday night before I go to bed, and it never left me. When I wake up the morning and looked back at the paper right at my altar, I just called him," Johnson said.

The two now worship together at the Grace Apostolic Deliverance Tabernacle on Studio One Boulevard in the Corporate Area.

Get a little profit

Brown also received a $100,000 donation from the Change a Life Foundation (C.A.L.F), part of which he used to set up a fruit stall at the front of his new home.

"I sell bananas, oranges, apples, and stuff. It's going all right. Somebody will pass and buy a one fruit, so me open a little account, and when me get a little profit me drop it in deh," Brown said.

Dian McKenzie, vice-president of C.A.L.F, said the Portland-based organisation was founded in 2013 by Samantha Russell, and has about 20 members who assist persons in need. So far, they have helped persons start up businesses, fund surgeries, and cover other expenses.

In THE STAR's May 1 publication, Brown shared his plight of losing his job as a result of his kidney failure, which led to him becoming homeless and sleeping on the streets in downtown Kingston. He said persons often laughed at his swollen belly when he begged for help, not knowing that he was ill and in pain.

Brown said multiple persons reached out to assist after learning of his plight.

"Me give them nuff thanks and love fi what them do for me. Me can't stop pray fi them. Me really appreciate it," he said.