Sacha Walters, Staff Reporter

Carlos 'Cuban' Spence is committed to community and family. - photo by Sacha Walters

Kicking a football around the yard was never part of the relationship Carlos Spence had with his father. They hardly had any relationship and that would affect the father Carlos would become.

"I always said that when I grew up, I wanted to stand out as a father," said the 45-year-old dispatcher at Zoukie Trucking.

"My father never stood out," he said. "But that doesn't matter." He explained his father left his mother when he was only one.

Determined not to make that part of his legacy, at a young age he learnt the value of hard work and saving. Something he has passed on to his two children Shanique, 11 and Odene, 18. Both children are thriving youngsters. He proudly pulled pictures from his pocket showing his daughter who recently passed her GSAT examination for St Hugh's High School. He also bragged about his son who is in his final days at St Jago High School.

No strap

For 'Cuban', as he is called because of his respect for the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro, his children's respect and success have nothing to do with the strap. "Once I talk, they listen. I don't have to beat or anything," he said.

Although both children do not live with him, his son lives in Spanish Town and his daughter in Bay Farm Villas with him and her mother Cheryl Fisher, he spends quality time with both of them.

"Me and my children get along really well. We have a connection," he said. Trips to the beach or football matches to watch his favourite team Waterhouse play are regular family events.

In his area, he is also respected for his dedication to family and community.

Model citizen

"He's a model citizen," said Marlene Rowe, a social worker who has spent three decades in his community. She says he is an exemplary father even to those who are not his children. She recalls one year she was teaching extra lessons for primary school students and many of the children didn't have the books to get through the lessons. He bought them and they never knew where they came from.

Asked whether he believes both parents need to be married in order to raise children successfully, he said no. However, he said both parents should be involved in raising the children. "Respect is the key. Talk to them about the relationship you're going to have," he said so the children can understand that while the relationship with the other parent is not working out, there is no love lost for them.

There aren't any more children on the horizon because he must ensure he takes care of the ones he has. "The big one is going on to college. You have to have to plan to make sure both of them alright."