The children of TIVOLI... in their own words

No Jamaican will soon forget the events that took place in Tivoli Gardens, west Kingston, in May this year, when security forces battled gunmen, leaving more than 70 persons dead. The stories of the horrific events of those days have been told over and over, but little has been said of or heard from the most vulnerable members of the Tivoli community - the children. But during a recently concluded summer camp put on by the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), the children, who were all between six and 14 years old, let their emotions out on paper. Coordinator of the Summer Energy Camp Detommie Sergeant said that while she was at first troubled by some of the poems written by the children, she was happy that the writing process seemed to help them heal.

"These are bright, loving children who loved to give hugs, but the poems showed that many of them were traumatised by the events of May. The poems were sometimes disturbing but, as time went on and they were able to get their feelings out, they became happier children," said Sergeant.

The more than 200 children who participated in the camp were never asked to write specifically about the bloody clash that took place in their community. They were, however, each asked to write about the most memorable day of their life. Most of the children wrote about the recent gun battle. Here are some of the poems written by the children of Tivoli.

The incursion

I watched the news

I saw a lot of bad things going on in Tivoli Gardens

I was scared

I am not quite sure what will happen to me or my family

I heard that people got killed in their houses

I asked for protection

Prayed to the Father above

To guide and direct me, my friends

My family and everybody in the world

I was frightened

70-odd people dead

Listening to the news

Made me want to cry

I thank God for this day

That all of my family and friends are still alive

From now until forever

I will dwell in the house of the Lord.

- Shantal Vassell

I saw

My mother called me and said

"One of my neighbours was shot and killed"

I feel my friend is dead too

I was worried

Absolutely frightened

I saw the news

The police on the ground

Firing shot!

I saw the houses in Tivoli Gardens

I saw the people in the buildings

My mind wondered

Why don't I see other places

Than Tivoli Gardens?

- Kimone Coley

The invasion

I was on my verandah,

On the 24th of May 2010,

When the invasion began,

I heard a lot of gunshots

I went into my house

The next day, in my brother's room

Me, my niece and my friend,

We heard more gunshots

We went under the bed

They started to cry

My sister, mother and two brothers

Called us out of the room

We ran like Bolt,

Into the living room

Then the next day,

When the shots seized

They came to my house

And asked if anybody was doing CXCs

My mother said 'No'

They asked who was in the house

She called us out

And they searched for my brothers

They asked what they did for a living

One of them said

"Me a look a soldier work"

The other said

"I work in the market."

- Rashanda Lyons

Storm

In the heart of the storm

Trying to stay calm

No outdoors, no light

Shout with all my might

Mother is safe; I'll be fine

No meat at all

So we won't dine

The wind blows outside

We'll be all right

Trying to sleep

With all my might.

- Najai Williams, 10 years old

Story of my life

My name is Tashanique

My skin is dark

Sometimes I play in the yard

Sometimes I play in the park

When I eat my food, I brush my teeth

And I like to wear slippers on my pretty feet

I have some friends that love to play

And I feel happy when I see them every day

This is the story of my life

I hope to grow up and become someone's wife

I like the JPS Summer Energy

and the teachers too

Also I like the things that we do

They teach me how to cook

They teach me how to sew

I am surprised they didn't teach me how to tie a bow

We go on field trips to places I have never been before

I wish the camp would never end

So I can learn some more

I know on final day it is going to be a bummer

Thank you JPS for a wonderful summer.

- Tashanique McLeod, 10 years old

Act right, treat me right

Every little child

Is born with rights

Don't let anyone

Put you in a fright

No body burn

No big lick

Every little child

Should be in school

Each day learning the golden rule

No begging on the street

No nightclub

And no using drugs.

- Tajay Fogo, 12 years old

Doomsday

One day in school

I was wondering

When I look out the window

Shots were firing

I close the window

And run to my seat,

I just stop and listened to my heartbeat

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

I stood humble,

Every day I wish

The earth would rumble,

I am so frightened

I was shaking,

And I feel,

My heart was breaking,

I wonder why,

The road was blocked

I know,

To make sure everything stopped.

- Trishawn Dennis