Hope rises from within
Published: Saturday | July 4, 2009
Contributed
Aspiring DJ Jah Cave has already written a few songs, including 'Inna Di Slum', in which he profiles life in Spanish Town's inner cities.
While roving around Spanish Town, The Gleaner team ran into some young men in Rivoli.
They were at the Kingdom Builders Church of the Open Bible helping to put up a tent for a health fair. They are regulars there, according to Pastor Norman Lewin, 'the shepherd of the flock'. All born in 'Spain', they gave us their impression of the town and what needs to happen in it.
Omar has a child, so he knows he must find regular work.
"We a mechanic still from yuh have the training like dat. But we can start from scratch again and learn sum'n new." We asked the others what they would be willing to do (legally) to 'eat a food'.
"Anything man, from a work yuh know. Because right now, we nah do nutt'n!" says aspiring DJ Jah Cave. He has identified music as a potential way out and his friend Wayne (the quiet one) carries their lyrics book. They don't believe there are many opportunities out there for them in the capital.
"Wi nuh too see it enuh because if it did dedeh, wi wudda tek it," Jah Cave continues.
Shannon, a young goalkeeper who used to be on the books at Rivoli, is not betting solely on 'ball'.
Vocational training
He recently took a test to gain acceptance to a vocational training institute where he plans to do painting. He said he would love to see more done to improve sports in the capital, as he feels it is a positive outlet for young people. They also said that they don't get as much support from some 'church people'.
"Dem wi pass and hail we up still, but dem nuh too show nuh love like dis pastor yah," says Jah Cave.
They have all thought about leaving the old capital at times but most think there is hope, despite the negative influences.
"Too much bad mind. Dem same one (other youth) a bad mind. If we nuh do wha dem do, dem pree wi. But a work an' comfatable wi a deal wid," said Jah Cave.
"We dying fi see di four a wi get a work so you can jus' si di four a wi a lef' out a morning time. All four o'clock wi get up and gone a work. But Father God, wi believe him a go push out di ting fi wi one a dem day yah," Omar hopes.
