Sheivonne Golding at her bar in Time and Patience, St Catherine. - Ricardo Makyn/Staff Photographer

Forty-year-old Sheivonne Golding is on a mission to make a difference in the lives of youths in the rural community of Time and Patience, St Catherine.

It's obvious Golding is not an average bartender. As she pours liquor in glasses, she also helps members of her community by hosting fund-raising events to refurbish the community school and providing medical assistance to the needy.

"I like to help people in any way I can and I always want the best for the youths in my community," she said.

The Gleaner had been told about Golding's work by residents of the community.

Fruitful efforts

Her attempts to raise funds for the Time and Patience Basic School were fruitful as she collected $50,000 from two events. The funds were used to build a perimeter fence around the compound.

"The schoolyard was left open to any intruders and people used to go in and dirty up the walls," Golding told The Gleaner.

Another of her community projects was the raising of funds for a child in the community who had a heart problem.

"The story about this child was very touching and I was able to offer some amount of help but the baby didn't make it," she lamented.

The mother of three said her work does not stop there.

"I also help needy children go back to school. I can't live for myself alone, I have to help others," she argued.

Golding said she had a desire to do more towards uplifting the community but the lack of funds was hindering her progress. She said she would usually fund the events from her personal finances, but the economic pressures have forced her to tighten up on expenditure.

However, she said part of her agenda in the near future was to refurbish the roof of the basic school and donate computers to the institution.