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Angel in The City
CHERYL FREEMAN shaving one of the homeless men she helps in The City. Inset, Freeman says she knows first-hand what it is like to be hungry.
(Pictures by Nigel Browne.)
Published on: 11/15/2009.
by MELISSA ROLLOCK
SHE'S THE MOTHER THERESA of The City.
The only thing she's missing is the habit.
Every Thursday, Cheryl Freeman descends upon Bridgetown to help those who are otherwise forgotten.
Without scorn or disdain, she feeds them with her last - and that's no exaggeration - combs their hair, shaves their beards and even washes their clothes.
Her reasoning is simple; they might be homeless, but they are still human beings who deserve love, care and attention.
She started her mission of love four months ago, grooming and feeding about six homeless men all over The City - from James Street to Queen's Park, she travels looking to see whom she can assist.
But Cheryl has also been known to reach out to the desolate and impoverished in other areas across Barbados. She catches the bus or walks from her Bush Hall, St Michael residence, to wherever she is "'called".
Her mission is two-fold. Along with the physical food, the devoted Christian also dishes out some spiritual food by ministering and spreading the Gospel to the homeless.
Cheryl, a 39-year-old Jamaican and mother of six, sees herself in every one she helps. For it was not too long ago that she was on the brink of poverty.
It was only "the grace of God", she said, that kept her and her children off the streets.
"From 1988 to about 1998 - ten years - when I was back in Jamaica, we had it rough. I was a mother of six kids living in one bedroom - there were two beds but put the two beds together and they didn't make one.I am not afraid to speak about it.
"Feeding people is a good thing to me because I was there; not on the street, but I am a mother of six and people used to help feed us too. In 2006, the Lord helped me to own my own home. I said Lord, I give you thanks and I give you praise.
Up-and-down business
"Before all of that, I was self-employed; a vendor. I would go all over Jamaica selling [goods and produce], but things started to go bad. The business was up-and-down. If you didn't have strong buyers, you met it rough.
"So when that failed, I didn't stop. I did hairdressing on the streets and from hairdressing, I came here to Barbados to make a better life for me and my children who are still in Jamaica. When I came to Barbados to do hairdressing in May, 2007, I decided to give my life to the Lord because I backslide a few times," she said, in a thick Jamaican accent.
Initially, it was hard leaving her children behind and it hasn't got any easier, she said. She recalled crying every night when she first moved here, but she knows it is for their benefit. The youngest of her children is nine years old and the eldest is 23.
According to Cheryl, Bajans have been quite encouraging about her efforts and while they wouldn't offer to lend a hand, they usually give her a "God is going to bless you" which she appreciates.
"I know Bajans are proud," she said.
Although she came to Barbados to work as a hairdresser, business isn't pouring in; so in order to keep providing hot meals, she makes natural juices, the proceeds from which she uses to buy food for the homeless.
In addition to her work with the destitute, Cheryl also visits the Queen Elizabeth Hospital twice a week to pray for the sick.
"So doing this is one of the greatest things for me. I know this is a mission of God and me doing this, it has got to be God because I am not a person with money. To be honest, I wish I could go to the four corners of the earth with this.
"I come every Thursday [to The City]. I don't have a specific time but midday would be the latest. I used to help six homeless men, but they keep moving from place to place; so right now, I've been helping whom I can locate," she explained.
Cheryl, who first gave her life to God at the age of 12, is committed to never repeating the mistakes of her past. She is so intent on living the rest of her life for God that she put her very life on the line.
"After giving my life to Christ at age 12, I backslide, went back to God and backslide again. Then,I recommitted my life to God this year. I made a vow unto God this last time and I don't think anybody ever made this vow.
"I said, 'God, if I should ever backslide again clean me up and take me from the face of the earth because I am not going to bring your name to no more shame'.
Some people are afraid to dead, I am not afraid to dead. I used to be afraid to dead when I was in sin - not now . . . not now," she said, adding:
"The Lord gave me a vision. People don't carry God's message to me. I am a person who hears God for myself. I originally come here with my own plans but the Lord switched them over; but I don't regret it. What I desire in life I could work for it but when I am in God's will, I will get more than I imagine," she said.
Wherever there is a hungry mouth to feed, Cheryl will be there to offer a plate and a prayer because according to her, "the poor need God, too".
melissawickham@nationnews.com
19 comment found!
Angel In The City : 11/21/2009
Cheryl,you are a God send.
Please send me your address,Email me at
bigdaddycat1@aol.com.
: 11/20/2009
What an inspriation this woman is, Jamaican's be proud of this woman, who is helping the hungry and homeless in Barbados, hopefully the bajans will learn compassion from this lady.
She lf
Angel In City : 11/20/2009
This is truly a wonderful person whose efforts deserve applauding and rewarding. The disheartening thing about this story is that it took someone from another country to come to Bim and show compassion to the less fortunate (where is the gov't in this picture). I am sure that there are others doing their part, but where are the elected officials who are supposed to be preventing things such as homelessness…too involved in helping build resorts?
I know that things have to change over time but it does not have to be for the worst. I grew up in Barbados and when I see how things are being done now, it saddens me. The gov't of Barbados is so focused on assisting in the building resorts that is has lost focus on who there are in gov't to represent. These fancy resorts will not improve the life styles of the average Barbadian; there will serve more in creating a class system in which there will be a definite distinction between rich and poor.
We as Bajans are losing focus on caring for our fellow man in pursuit of riches...sad.
Pride and Industry, we have lost our industry and are slowly losing our pride!
Thank you Cheryl Freeman, maybe your actions will touch(taech)the hearts of those who are in positions to make positive change...
4everBajan
LOOK AT THIS : 11/20/2009
THIS IS WHY WE HAVE TO GIVE PEOPLE FROM OTHER ISLAND A CHANCE TO MIGRATE IN BARBADOS CAUSE DE BAJANS INT GOING TO DO THIS INSTEAD YOU WOULD HEAR ONE SAYING 'WHO NOT ME' SO STOP TAKING ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE CALL "FOREIGNERS" I GO TO JAMAICA A LOT I CONSIDER IT MY HOME AWAY FROM HOME,WHILE I AM THEY I GET BETTER TREATMENT THAN WHEN I IN BARBADOS .I CAN SAY JAMAICAN ARE MORE CARING PEOPLE THAN BAJANS. NOBODY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO COME TO BARBADOS AND SHOW BAJANS HOW TO BE CARING ,BAJAN NEED TO STOP BEING TO SELFISH AND STOP CONDEMMING OTHER ISLANDER WHO LIVE THEY.IN USA IT IS NOT FOREINGNER IT IS WEST INDIAN PEOPLE .UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL,RESPECT.
AND IF ANYBODY GOT ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT WHAT I JUST SAID YOU'ALL CAN GO FLY A KITE TO.
JAMAICAN LADY : 11/19/2009
MAY GOD BLESS CHEYL,SHE AN INSPIRATION TO ALL.BAJANS PLEASE GIVE HER SOME HELP.
God,Bless you cheryl : 11/18/2009
It saddens my heart to see,homeless people in Barbados.When i left Barbados,the only people you saw homeless were ones who,dint have all their marbles in the right place..Im ingage in a homeless mission in Florida.and would love to see if they is any way i can be of help..Please have Cheryl email me at ..bage5555@yahoo.com..
HELP CHERYL TO HELP THE HOMELESS : 11/18/2009
Calling all Barbadians….Let’s help Cheryl to help the homeless. Keep an eye out for Cheryl and give her a lift when she is out walking; give her $5.00 if you can; Give her some fruits from your backyard; Give her what you can; but take a stand in helping and caring. May God continue to use Cheryl to show forth His love.
Angel in the City : 11/18/2009
What a wonderful story! Each and everyone of us, has a positive purpose in life. It is simply left for us to get in touch with that godly purpose, which dwells deep within our soul, so that we may ascertain what our purposes are. Cheryl, I commend you for your kind and caring ways to your fellowman. You have truly found your godly purpose. It doesn't matter where we are from, or what nationality we are, there are always contributions that we can make. I have found that too many of us are spending too much time with ridicule and insults towards each other, because of country and nationality. However, here it is that this woman, who incendently, is a foreign national, can still find it in her heart to contribute to do good in Barbados. It is understood that these days are difficult for everyone during this recession, however, it would be a great help if others can get aboard and give this lady a helping hand. God bless you Cheryl.
PS
SO LITTLE YET SO MUCH : 11/18/2009
This is an amazing and inspiring story and indeed a story that questions the Barbados Government’s role in helping the homeless…What is the Government doing about homelessness? If they are doing anything ..Is it enough? Here is a poor lady who has very little of her own but yet so much to offer those in need. God couldn’t have chosen a more perfect lesson to remind Barbadians about “Sharing and Caring”. In the average person’s heart there is a sense of giving but that giving never really materializes because we first want to win the lottery..We want to come into some “big” money. This lady here is teaching us that we don’t have to hit it “big” to share but more importantly that we need to care, sincerely care, which leads to sharing. What a lesson…let’s hope that we all take it to heart
Well done Cheryl : 11/18/2009
May God continue to bless you Cheryl so you will be able to bless others, you make feel proud to be a Jamaican, not all Jamaicana are currupt and bad indeed. God bless.(No matter where we are from we are all ONE created by God)
ANGEL : 11/16/2009
What a touching story, words cannot express my emotions. This is unbelievable, to think she has nothing and from her meager existence and her dependency of her children the little she has she is giving away to those less fortunate. Ms. Cheryl you will recieve your blessings. I hope you will soon be able to get your family with you. You are AWESOME. God bless you. Jersey Girl
JAMAICAN MIRACLE! : 11/15/2009
This lady is from Jamaica, has six kids, and yet she's trying to help some of the homeless in Barbados! She's truly a miracle. Come on Barbadians, assist this miracle Jamaican lady, and help your sisters and brothers. KUDOS TO YOU CHERYL!! Keep on helping, and God will bless you tremendously. God bless you and your children, and I hope your kids are with you soon. This is a wonderful story, and lessons can be learned here. Support Your Jamaican Miracle Helper.
I love this : 11/15/2009
I Love it. Here is a woman who has decided to ACT instead of talk. An ACTION woman ... not like people who just run their mouth.. helping out others
St Cheryl of Bush Hall : 11/15/2009
Are they still people around like this? She is truly and angel.I will be on the look out for her on Thursdays to offer her a contribution toward this noble act. May God bless her and all others who like her.
ANGEL IN BARBADOS : 11/15/2009
FIRST.. GOD WOULD BLESS YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOU. WE HAVE BAJAN'S AND PEOPLE WHO LOOK DOWN ON OTHERS. THANK GOD FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO HELP. SOME PEOPLE SCORN HOMELESS PEOPLE. I WAS IN BARBADOS ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND A HOMELESS MAN BEG ME FOE MONEY, AND WHEN HE SAID PLEASE FOR A DOLLAR, I GIVE HIM FIVE, ATLEAST HE SAID PLEASE. PEOPLE DON'T CHOOSE TO BE HOMELESS THINGS HAPPEN. WE AS HUMAN BEING SOMETIMES ONLY THINK ABOUT OURSELVES, THANK GOD YOU ARE GIVING AND CARING. IF WE HAD MORE PEOPLE IN THE WORLD LIKE YOU, IT WOULD BE A BETTER PLACE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK. THE SAME WAY YOU LOOK OUT FOR OTHERS, GOD AND PEOPLE WOULD LOOK OUT FOR YOUR CHILDREN.
: 11/15/2009
What a wonderful and caring woman, may she continue with her good deeds, she is a credit to humankind and jamaica, may she be blessed.
Melissa : 11/15/2009
God bless you and your family.
Miracles in our land : 11/15/2009
Give her support, I met this same lady while on holiday in barbados , Image a foriegner helping our homeless . praise be to god for cheryl . Another spiritual Tsunami let them visit Special Miracles and Deliverance Ministry in Magazine Lane a lot of love there also.
God bless this lady : 11/15/2009
What a lovely story, this lady deserves a lot of applause, god bless you my dear. UK visitor who frequently goes to Barbados
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