Excerpt from the Jamaica Observer column published on Monday, November 7, 2022
By Jean Lowrie-Chin
When we see the reports of fights in our high schools, we wonder what kind of homes
produced these children. This is not an uptown-downtown issue. I remember interviewing our
former World Boxing Champion Michael McCallum in the eighties. He came from a very
humble home in the inner city but his mother was so watchful that she took him to church
every night. Then there was the wonderful lead story in last week’s Jamaica Observer where
young Alexia Hibbert turned up at her mother’s workplace in her graduation gown to show
her the UWI BA Certificate. The workplace of her mother Makeisha Walker is at Crab Circle
adjacent to National Heroes’ Park and the photo of the two features a huge pot of crabs, the
means by which Walker has been raising and educating her two daughters.
The report by Brittny Hutchinson, quotes Hibbert: “I remember one time she got burnt by the
soup but she got up for work … She wrapped it up and came out here. Sometimes even when
it’s raining heavily she is out there doing her thing.”
It is said that every child needs that one person who loves them unconditionally, who reminds
them how precious they are, who makes sacrifices for them to give them the best life
possible. In our Jamaica this is not necessarily a parent: grandparents, elder siblings, aunts
and uncles have stepped in and have done wonderfully.
However, there are still too many of our children who do not have that one caring guardian; it
now falls on the society to step into the breach. We can talk and wring our hands but what is
really needed is a strategic plan involving school, church and civil society. There are active
alumni associations which could be brought on board to do one-on-one mentoring of troubled
children. This country has more churches per capita than most others in the world. There are
retired seniors who could conduct after school homework sessions in those beautiful empty
church halls and engage the children in practical and inspiring discussions.
Child abuse is taking place in all types of households. Parents suffering from diverse types of
addiction are neglecting their children. Internet addiction may prevent us from focusing on
our children’s concerns. Bullyism is rife and if parents are not aware and do not take action,
their children could be scarred for life. It can be a tough challenge for working parents but
instead of having their children waiting until dark with a security guard before being picked
up, other arrangements can be made for after-school care. Those poor little hearts depend on
their parents and guardians to look out for them and should never feel that no one cares.
Another severe problem is the constant criticism that some children face, being compared
with others.
I remember a competent co-worker always shrinking in the background and
never standing up for herself; she shared that her parents were constantly comparing her with
high-achieving cousins and she developed an inferiority complex. Another young lady kept
standing behind others in a group photo and when we asked her why she was hiding herself
she said she was too ugly to be photographed. We could not believe our ears. This was a
beautiful lady and when we kept complimenting her, she burst into tears and said apart from
men trying to pick her up, it was the first time that she received sincere affirmation; she had
been told repeatedly as a child that she was ugly. Our offhand remarks can be cutting to a
child as can our lack of focus on their needs.
Our children who we keep saying are our future have urgent and present challenges. We are
reaping the whirlwind and we need to act before it becomes a dangerous hurricane.
Al Webb Scholarship
For the past four years, retired banker Al Webb has been funding one-year scholarships for
UWI students based on their first- or second-year performance. Along with UWIDEV Project
Officer Francine Kidd-Warren I have been interviewing these students and have been moved
by their resolve and perseverance in the face of unimaginable challenges. The hardest part is
to select one from the four worthy candidates. Congratulations to Zanya Lawes now in her
second year pursuing a social sciences degree. She is an ardent volunteer for environmental
projects and participates in various extra-curricular activities. We wish her every success.
Jamaica Highlights 