Godsent businessman helps struggling family

Thirty-three-year-old Tashanie Wilson was a picture of despair as she detailed the 2012 murder of her spouse, Sebastian Armstrong, a vendor of Effortville in Clarendon. Tashanie, who shared four children with Armstrong, said the death of the breadwinner exposed her family to undue hardships, citing daily struggles to fend for the family.

Tashanie, a bartender, said the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic put a further strain on the family's already-meagre resources.

"The hardest part has been schooling; but when you have kids, you have to go out there and do your best," she said.

But in the midst of despair, a lifesaver has appeared for Tashanie in the form of Junior Wilson, owner of Stoplight Wholesale in May Pen. Wilson, who is unrelated to Tashanie, has provided a scholarship of $800,000, over five years, for her 13-year-old daughter, Kelly. The child attends a private institution and the school fee is $40,000 per term, which Tashanie said she would struggle to afford.

The high school where her daughter was placed after the Primary Exit Profile exams is about one hour away, via car, and would require her to take at least four vehicles per day. Wilson said she could not afford the transportation cost. She was unable to secure a transfer for her daughter, which led her to take the decision to place her in a private institution closer to home.

She said one of the children's aunt, who lives overseas, has been of "great help" to the family. Wilson's help has now made it easier for the family. "I am so glad that God use Mr Wilson to help me. He's like a father to all my children," Tashanie said.

Wilson, the good-hearted man, told THE WEEKEND STAR that helping the family is an act of paying it forward.

"I run a business that the public supports, so when people support us, we have to try and give back to the society. I am just like that; if a person is in need, I try and do whatever I can."

Kelly, who wants to become a doctor, said she was grateful for the help. "I appreciate it a lot and I want to help people in return ... especially old people," she said.

Meanwhile, the Good Samaritan, who also provides the family with groceries, said that his business has been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but this has not affected his determination to do good deeds.

"A lot of hard-working people have lost their jobs and can barely find food for their kids. So once you are surviving and you can help someone, just help someone," he said.