Wallace - Norman Grindley/Chief Photographer

Throughout his 21 years on Earth, Donovan Wallace has been put through trials. But never did he allow himself to be daunted by any of these obstacles.

In fact, he has used his experiences to become a saving grace for many children in Claremont, St Ann, whose character, by his initiatives, he has helped to mould.

Living in Claremont, Wallace moved from one of Kingston's toughest inner cities - Tivoli Gardens. He lived with his grandmother, who became his guardian after his mother died when he was two years old. However, things took another turn in young Donovan's life when his grandmother decided to emigrate.

This then resulted in him being sent to live with relatives in Claremont.

From those early experiences and down periods in his life, he vowed never to become a victim of his circumstance and to always help those in need, as long as he was so able.

"I am a trying person and I always want to be moving up. And it is not only about me because I like to help others to move up. That makes me feel good, knowing that at my age I can make a difference in others," he told The Gleaner.

Sympathetic to children

The loss of his mother has made him sympathetic to children, especially those in need.

"I know what it feels like to not have a mother. I know what it feels like to struggle. A lot of times, I didn't have lunch money to go to school. There were times I didn't have anything to eat," Wallace stressed.

To fulfil his dream of helping to secure a brighter future for children, he started a pageant in 2006 - Mini Miss Claremont - with five children. Today, it has grown to 30 children and was recently renamed Mini Miss South East St Ann.

"This gives the girls exposure as they get to visit various attractions outside of their communities. They are also part of scheduled media interviews and they also go through grooming sessions.

All of this is done through sponsorship from businesses."

Wallace boasts that a past winner of the contest is now a contestant in this year's Miss Teen Jamaica.

The money raised, through entrance fees for the pageant, goes to students who are chosen by school administrators.

"I normally request that a student is chosen by their school so I can donate things and help with books, lunch money and so forth from the show's earnings," said the event organiser.

Wallace is not new to organising events and entertainment as he is an entertainment co-ordinator at a hotel. With his warm and friendly nature, Wallace, who is mostly known as Tivoli, has created lasting relationships with people of all walks of life in Claremont.

"The business people know me because when I was in school, I used to come and ask them for money to go to school. Even the police know me. As a matter of fact, if you ask anybody here for Tivoli, they will definitely say they know me," he said.

Constable Marcia Nembhard, of the Claremont Police Station, said that on her first encounter with Wallace, she found him to be very driven.

"He was always motivated. He used to come here after school to call a relative for money. And based on his attitude, we at the police station would give him encouraging words. I even remember when he started the pageant and he had to get the permit."

Wallace is always on a path to achieving bigger things which, according to him, will give him an easier avenue to help more children.

"I want to eventually start a community development programme for young people. There are some children who don't have parents or their support and guidance. There are some children who all they need is love and someone's faith," said Wallace.

Based on his outlook on life, Wallace believes no challenge is too big to overcome. And each day he wakes up, he is on the move to making his life, and the lives of others around him, better.

latoya.grindley@gleanerjm.com