GoodHeart | Winsome Robertson Green’s journey from loss to community service
Published:Saturday | December 28, 2024 | 12:06 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter -
After the death of Winsome Robertson Green’s uncle from HIV 27 years ago, she was determined to establish a charity to support individuals affected by the disease. But, in the past five years, her perspective shifted due to the pandemic, leading her to focus on assisting various demographics in need.
“It [the start of my charity] was inspired by the death of my uncle, Barrington Allen, who died from HIV, but more so, he died from a broken heart because of the stigma and the rejection that he got, so that motivated me to do something for humanity,” Robertson Green, founder of Aiding AIDS, told GoodHeart during an interview on Thursday after she completed her charity work for the festive season in Trench Town, Kingston.
“The unkindness, although at the time it was a lack of knowledge, because people thought if they passed someone with HIV, they would get it, so I toyed around with Aiding AIDS for years, but I got real serious in 2017, right before the COVID-19 [pandemic], and COVID-19 really kicked it in gear, because I saw the suffering.”
Robertson Green, who now lives in Florida, said that during the pandemic, she has partnered more with others in the diaspora to give back from the United States to Jamaica, such as Catherine Malcolm, owner of Jerk Machine Restaurant in Lauderhill, Florida, who has donated the most.
“We [Catherine and I] started feeding the homeless overseas and then from that, we just kept feeding the homeless in downtown Fort Lauderdale, downtown Miami, throughout Broward, and we really responded [to] natural disasters for example, if there was a hurricane or anything affecting communities, we’d jump into action and provide food,” Robertson Green added.
Literacy and Trench Town had been on her mind since starting Aiding AIDS, and during the pandemic in 2020, it was the perfect time to begin. Now, she runs the programme in five cities in the US: North Lauderdale, Lauderdale Lakes, Lauderhill, Miramar, and Pembroke Pines.
“For the past three years, I’ve been trying to start [the literacy programme] in Trench Town, and I think it’s going to happen in 2025, because I have sort of become acquainted with Dr Henley Morgan, who has businesses in Trench Town, and there is another group of folks, so what I want to do is come once a month and do the literacy programme there and get the kids to understand the importance of reading.”
She said the aim of her literacy programme is “to engage, empower, inspire and motivate children”.
“The programme is set up where we normally have someone from the States, someone from government, someone from a profession to speak to the kids and inspire them, and have kids reading, especially those 17-year-olds who have trouble reading,” she explained, adding, “We create an environment where the kids feel safe and sort of nurture them, because I’m a nurturer myself, so that the kids don’t feel embarrassed or anything.”
This Christmas, just as she has done for the past four years, she visited Jamaica with a shipment of toys and books for three to four events in Trench Town. As a child who grew up in that community, she understands how it feels for children there to long for a gift during the holidays.
She’s calling on others, especially those in the diaspora to donate balls for children in Trench Town.
“Based on the response from the treats, we know we need to get basketballs, footballs, [and] volley balls. The kids want balls, so when I go back to the States, I’m starting a drive in March until November for balls,” she said.
Robertson Green was recognised by Mayor Nan Rich of Broward County, Florida, on March 7, during Women’s History Month. She received this honour alongside 13 other women from diverse backgrounds who have significantly contributed to shaping the ideals and landscape of the nation.
In addition, Robertson Green hosts ‘Queen Mode’, a women’s empowerment fundraising event. At this event, she and the organisers honour a minimum of 10 women each year, with 15 awards presented this year. These women are selected for their quiet, yet impactful contributions to their communities, demonstrating selflessness in their efforts.