KINGSTON, Jamaica — For most people reaching their seventh decade, retirement and slowing down are the expected next steps. But for 72-year-old Clinton Christie, a widower from St Catherine, Jamaica, life is only just beginning a new chapter. After decades of physically grueling work as a plumber to support his six children, age and fading health have forced him to step back from the trade that sustained his family for generations. Now, following the recent loss of his wife to cancer, he is building an entirely new future in poultry farming, driven by one clear, heartfelt goal: to help his youngest daughter finish her education and build her own career as a forensic accountant, and provide stable care for his two grandchildren.
Christie, who has never shied away from hard work or new challenges, said when reflecting on his transition, “I am not afraid of trying something new.” The path forward was not easy to walk alone, however. To turn his small business dream into reality, he applied for support through the NCB Foundation’s 2025 Grant-a-Wish initiative, a program designed to lift up vulnerable Jamaicans by funding practical, community-focused personal projects. His proposal stood out among more than 45 submissions from across the island, earning him a $100,000 grant to construct a fowl coop and purchase chickens to raise for commercial sale.
Perrin Gayle, chief executive officer of NCB Foundation, explained the decision to select Christie’s application in an official release shared Wednesday. “Mr Christie submitted a practical proposal with clear potential to support his family over time,” Gayle said. “This initiative is about meeting people where they are and giving them a real opportunity to move forward.”
At a recent handover event attended by other program beneficiaries and NCB Foundation representatives, Christie shared his story of resilience, gratitude, and hope for what lies ahead. He noted that without the foundation’s support, launching this new venture would have been impossible. “I could not make a fresh start without the help of NCB Foundation,” he said. Today, Christie is hard at work building out his new poultry operation, working toward a sustainable income that will secure his family’s future and help his youngest daughter cross the graduation finish line. “As long as I can help my daughter to finish school, it would be a great improvement,” he shared, a quiet optimism underscoring his life-altering new beginning.