10-y-o saving up to complete her own room

At just 10 years old Kaillie Brown has learnt the power of patience, purpose and the dollar.

Instead of a new gadget or an outfit to match the festivities of the Yuletide season, the 10-year-old Iris Gelly Primary School student has quietly been saving to complete something bigger - her room. Construction on her current room, which started about a year ago, came to a standstill after her father, Kevin Brown, 36, experienced financial constraints. But because of the well-knit relationship that they have, Kaillie understood what was happening and began her mission.

Brown, who is a father of three, told THE STAR that he was stunned when his daughter made her first contribution to the room.

"I was struck, because a that she ah pree as a little girl instead of gadget, toys or clothes. She a pree to get her own safe space. I was really proud of her" he stated. But he said that dedication and helpfulness are part of who she is. He recalled an example of Kaillie's thoughtfulness in support of her sister's talent.

"Her older sister who lives with her mom is good at knitting, and Kaillie saw that and invested in her business, buy her material and hooks, and told her 'I believe in you'. But she is just that child you know, even motivate me sometimes," he said.

Kaillie said that in addition to seeing her father's daily struggle, she also yearns for her own space, a quiet place where she can study without disruptions.

Sometimes when I want stuff and I feel like my father doesn't have it, I don't really like to depend on people to give me what I want," Kaillie said excitedly.

Brown said that he soon realised Kallie's commitment to saving, and as such he opened a bank account for her.

"She is really just a saver, always a save mi ah tell you. She save in her draw and she has this infamous purse but I realised who she is and I had to open up an account at JN," Brown said

Kallie said that most of her savings comes from her carefully portioned lunch money that she receives daily.

"I get $1,000 sometimes $1.500. If he is short, he gives me $800. Everytime I get my lunch money, I try to save $500, but when I get the $1,500 I save a $1,000" she explained.

Brown explained that while the room's basic structure is completed, there is still some work to be done.

"It need to be tiled, rendered to cover the blocks and the zinc roof decked into concrete and painted," he said. Through her small instalments, Kaillie adds to her account whenever she can. Her goal, she said, is for her room to be completed by Christmas.

"On Christmas Day, I want to go out while people stay to fix it and when I come home that will be my Christmas present. I don't want anything else but that," she said, while giving her vision for her dream room.

"Sky blue, with stickers of the cartoon Stitch, AC, a desk to study, maybe add white tiles, clouds on the roof, my TV, two night tables and a dresser," she said.

Despite her dedication, Kaillie said that she doesn't feel pressured to help her father because "everyone needs help".

"No one is an island, no matter how big or small, we all need help," she said.

In the meantime, Kaillie, who earned high proficiency in her Grade Four exams, is now preparing for her Grade Five Primary Exit Profile exams. She dreams of becoming both a paediatrician and a businesswoman.