Sadie is the lead co-ordinator for JAMATE
Sadie Walcott- Hensell (affectionately known as “Miss Sadie”)
Miss Sadie is the fifth of 10 children, born to John and Viola Walcott in Petersville, Westmoreland Jamaica. Her early school years were spent at Broughton and Georges Plain Primary Schools both in Westmoreland Jamaica. Miss Sadie lived with extended family members and friends until 1967 when she joined her parents in England. She attended Ecclesbourne Secondary Modern Girls’ School in Thornton Heath Surrey. This period was particularly challenging academically. Despite the fact that Sadie made steady progress, she needed “special assistance” between the ages of 13- 16 years. This was provided by Ms Taylor. You see, a good teacher is never forgotten!! Once Sadie completed her secondary education, she attended Red Hill Technical College where she studied community health /diet & nutrition for 2 years. Singing and catering were her two main hobbies.
From the age of fourteen years Sadie gave most of her spare time supporting the charity ‘Sunny Smiles’ (childrens` charity) and singing at the local Ball, raising funds for them, and gaining trophies. Church was also very special, as Sadie would often be asked to perform solo and readings etc. This boosted Sadie’s self-esteem, worth and confidence and would go a long way in shaping her understanding into the importance of praise and value for childrens’ development. As a teenager, Miss Sadie gained employment in a local Woolworth Store. Her wages, which was no more that extra pocket money, was shared out between her younger siblings, who benefited from her generosity.
Following advice from teachers and guidance councillor Sadie was enrolled in the Pre–Nursing Course Gatton Point College ST.Helier & Earlswood Nursing Schools, This was to underscore her desire to care for the sick. The course lasted four years; at the end of this time she gained her invaluable nursing certificate, specialising in surgery, she was ready to return to Jamaica,as this was her wish from the age of 16 years!
Miss Sadie found surgery satisfying, but she missed the laughter and trust she got whilst working with young children. Soon she made her way to the Special Care Baby Unit, at St. Helier Hospital, in Carshalton, Surrey. Again Sadie was in her comfort zone, as she freed up more time, which was spent helping charities and reading to young children in schools and play settings. During this period of her life Sadie (with the help of her mother) created dolls’ clothing, some of which was sold for funding charities of her choice.
Sadie then settled down to family life and mothered her only child-son Philip. Over many years Sadie was a registered foster Carer who fostered 72 children and young people through the Foster Care/Adoption Programme established by a London Local Authority. Working in this capacity gave Sadie a chance to develop her menu planning skills which she practised as another useful hobby.
Then.. a dream came through… Sadie returned to live in Jamaica April 2002, after several fact finding visits.
With a wish to care for her aging parents, Sadie quickly settled in her community where she soon realised that her desires to care and empower those less fortunate and without a voice, were still very much alive and well. She became involved in many aspects of Church/Community activities and developments. These include: Petersville Community Development Committee (CDC), beautification and water project and fund raising efforts. Other duties involve liaison with the Social Development Commission (SDC), the Parish Council, Food for the Poor (housing project) churches and school; and discussions with members of Parliament, councillors and business personnel.
It is widely accepted that the Petersville Community will never be the same again… given Miss Sadie’s dynamism and character. As Sadie does (what she calls) her community beat in the area, persons are warming to her and are working with her to achieve one common goal to connect the communities and enrich the lives of each and every citizen.
Seeing the needs of persons within the community, Miss Sadie liaised with her family members, and the charity KASSSI (which is “Ken And Sadie Student Support Initiative”), was conceptualised in July 2007 and registered in the UK in July 2010. Establishing her own charity is simply an extension of the house she has being building (metaphorically) from her teenage years. Miss Sadie has been a passionate advocate for the rights of children well before she understood the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. “Children should be seen and not hurt” is what she believes in.
It is now clear that caring, helping, sharing and supporting others are interwoven in Miss Sadie’s DNA with an indelible marker. “Born to serve, love and respect humanity” is another way she is described. Now the challenge to this modern-day Mother Theresa is to compartmentalise her commitment, drive, determination, passion and vision.
Travel and re-settlement disrupted Miss Sadie’s educational push. However, she intends to return to university to complete her counselling degree. However, she does not envisage stopping her community exploits to do this though! Nor will she forgo her exacting responsibilities to her mother’s care, although she receives excellent support from her husband Kenneth.
Miss Sadie continues to sing…LOUD over the vacuum cleaner, in the car, when she is washing or glorifying God in church! Indeed, she derives enormous pleasure from singing..and others enjoy it too!
Ms I E Ferguson J.P. C.D.O. Social Development Commission wrote:
“Petersville has benefited immensely from Mrs. Walcott-Hensell’s effective leadership. It was through her instrumentality the Jamaica National Foundation donated One Hundred and Twenty thousand Dollars ($120,000.00) for the construction of a Bus Shelter. To date this is the only Bus shelter in the community. She is very attentive and alert towards the social well-being of the residents, in that she identified and submitted the names of all the persons in the community who are really in need of housing assistance.
Her outstanding leadership also manifests itself in the church where she served as Sunday school Superintendent, Public Relations Officer, Youth Development Officer, Sunday school teacher, Retreat Crèche Organizer and Vacation Bible school coordinator… but not all at once!
And about KASSSI.… This is a non-profit organization whose main focus is Health, Social Welfare, Education and charity for children. This has kept her busy in the community as she constantly liaises with both internal and external stakeholders including Victoria Mutual Building Society, the Registered General Department Ministry of Health, and others.
Mrs. Walcott-Hensell can truly be described as a dynamo behind all aspects of community development.”
The Dictionary describes a coordinator as “someone whose job is to make different groups work together in an organized way to achieve something.” This description epitomises Miss Sadie to the core!
Ted
