By Dr. Karlene Richardson
www.DrKarleneRichardson.com
Many people know Jamaica either from being
born there, through an acquaintance, or the many stories told; Stories of Bob
Marley and The Wailers, or stories of the perfect lined shores, warm
temperatures, or the food that many refer to as ‘flavorful’. There is another
side to Jamaica not often explored. This is one of the many things that thread
its similarities not just to other Caribbean countries, but to countries in general.
Jamaica’s population varies, including
Caucasians, Indians, Africans, even Chinese. There is another population that
is often ignored: The Barrel Kids. While this unique population is diverse, the
similarity is the definition of the population: children abandoned or left
alone by parents who have migrated seeking a better life. These children are
often times left with families, friends, and at times, even strangers. As the
name implies, parents migrating to other countries in hopes of finding a better
life, sends barrels of products such as clothing and food, in exchange for
their absence.
Too often, these parents are oblivious of the
impact of their absence. In addition, these parents are sometimes delusional of
the fact that sending barrels each year will never equate to the absence of
their love. These children are left to fend for themselves, raise themselves,
and find replacement love. The outcome is usually resentment, of which these
parents term, ungratefulness.
Relationships are strained. Families are torn apart, and the future for these
children becomes ‘a hit or miss.’
Even when some Barrel Kids are rescued,
relationships sometimes are never healed. As in the case of Karlene Robinson,
the author of From Gutter to Glory, who found her mother had moved on with
another family. This is often the case. Barrel Kids walk into the realization
of feelings of being replaced. Issues
go unresolved for years. Resentments linger for decades. Everyone involved
assumes a role, and scars not healed, everyone pretending nothing ever happened
except the Barrel Kids.
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