Teemars Aitken impacting one life at a time

Teemars Spencer Aitken has her hands full working at Church Teachers' College's Educational Assessment and Intervention Centre as a special-needs teacher.

But she still she finds the energy to engage in her other passion - outreach.

On June 9, 2014, she launched Sing Praise Outreach Ministry which focuses on assisting those in need.

Aitken said she chose the name 'Sing Praise' as her parents had a gospel band with the same name and when it folded in 2002, she thought it would be a fitting way to honour their legacy.

Aitken, in an interview with CENTRAL STAR, said she has always been assisting others, but as a special-needs teacher, she comes in contact with so many of the parents who are really struggling.

"I realised I could not take on that kind of help on my own, so that was the catalyst in launching the outreach ministry," she said.

The initiative became a reality with her taking 16 special-needs children under her wing, ensuring they got well-needed food items.

Aitken said that in addition to feeding programmes, the outreach also focuses on going to the infirmary and the distribution of food items, beds, sheets, clothes, paint, school bags and other supplies. She also shared that there are times her ministry, which serves both Clarendon and Manchester, has been called on to assist fire victims.

"I couldn't have done it without the assistance of Food For The Poor, Bishop Boyles Outreach and Resource Centre in Mandeville, and Goodwill Distributors from Toll Gate," she said.

A member of the Full Truth Church of God in Savannah Cross, Aitken celebrated her ministry's fifth anniversary at the church two Sundays ago with a mass distribution. She also presented plaques and certificates to those who have contributed to the cause over the years.